Boasting an unbeaten run of 11 games in all competitions heading into this match, Bologna started the game on the front foot and almost took the lead after 18 minutes.
Riccardo Orsolini’s driving run into the penalty area was followed by a firm effort, which was saved by Alexander Schlager, before Jens Odgaard squandered the rebound with the goal at his mercy.
However, Odgaard would soon make amends to give the Rossoblu the lead, as he took full advantage of the visitors' failing to clear their lines properly, with a drilled shot into the back of the net to secure his second UEL goal of the season.
It didn’t take long, though, for Thomas Letsch’s side to level things up in a crucial game for both teams.
RB Salzburg hit the hosts on the counter shortly after the half-hour mark, which saw Edmund Baidoo presented with a huge opportunity after being teed up by Yorbe Vertessen. Baidoo’s effort was parried away by Federico Ravaglia, but only into the path of the incoming Vertessen, and he made no mistake to net the equaliser.
The game opened up increasingly as the first half progressed, and the hosts came close to regaining the lead with the interval on the horizon. After 36 minutes played, Thijs Dallinga’s close-range attempt was superbly kept out by Schlager at his near post, before Tommaso Pobega wasted a glaring chance shortly afterwards.
The hosts stepped their game up a couple of notches in the opening stages of the second half, and it proved to be far too much for RB Salzburg to deal with.
A delicious through ball from Juan Miranda fed Dallinga inside the 18-yard box, and his exquisite finish put the Rossoblu back in front.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team were not done there, though, as only two minutes later, Federico Bernardeschi leapt like a salmon to meet Nadir Zortea’s wonderful cross to head the ball home and extend Bologna’s lead.
Their Austrian opponents fought very hard to get back into contention, and Ravaglia was called into urgent action to make two vital stops before substitute Petar Ratkov rounded the goalkeeper and steered the ball into the net midway through the second half, only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR due to a marginal offside call.
Ratkov’s anguish continued in the 83rd minute when his shot cannoned off the bar.
The hosts killed the game off completely, though, in the latter stages of the game when Orsolini scored from close range to provide the icing on the cake.
Bologna’s victory boosts their hopes of finishing the league phase inside the top eight and sees the Rossoblu move into the top 20 of the table.
RB Salzburg’s chances of reaching the knockout play-offs are now left hanging by a thread with their fourth defeat from their opening five matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Federico Bernardeschi (Bologna)