Bologna's Giovanni Fabbian competes for the ball with Verona's Suat Serdar during the Serie A soccer match between Bologna and Hellas Verona at Renato Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, Feb 23, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

Bologna moved up to fourth place in the Serie A standings after beating struggling Hellas Verona 2-0 at home on Friday.

Bologna, on 48 points from 26 games, are three points ahead of fifth-placed Atalanta who have two games in hand, and four points adrift of AC Milan in third, who host Atalanta on Sunday.

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Giovanni Fabbian netted at point-blank range to give Bologna the lead in the 27th minute following a corner, a goal which stood after a VAR review.

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Midfielder Remo Freuler doubled their advantage with a first touch after the hour mark, scoring his first goal for Bologna since joining in September on loan from Premier League side Nottingham Forest.

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Bologna extended their winning streak in Serie A to five games, their longest such run since 1967 when they won six.

They next visit Atalanta on March 3.