With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Bologna. Words: Fabio De Dominicis.
Consistency in personnel and coach, coupled with the arrival of a famed, well-travelled star means there is a scattering of confidence surrounding the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, yet Bologna fans know their side will have to be at their very best to surpass their regular mid-table finish this campaign.
BOLOGNA TRANSFERS IN
Urbanski (M, Lechia Gdansk), Bonifazi (D, Udinese), Van Hooijdonk (S, NAC Breda), Bardi (G, Frosinone), Arnautovic (S, Shanghai SIPG), Theate (D, Oostende).
BOLOGNA TRANSFERS OUT
Da Costa (G, out of contract), Danilo (D, out of contract), Palacio (S, out of contract), Antov (D, Cska Sofia), Faragò (D, Cagliari), Vergani (S, Inter), Ravaglia (G, Frosinone), Poli (M, Antalyaspor), Baldursson (M, Copenaghen), Juwara (S, Crotone), Tomiyasu (D, Arsenal)
Probable XI
WHAT TO EXPECT
Bologna have finished in the top 10 in just one of their last eight Serie A campaigns, and know they face an uphill battle to replicate their 10th-place 2018-19 season.
The current campaign began in the worst possible fashion following an embarrassing 5-4 loss to newly-promoted Serie B outfit Ternana in the first round of the Coppa Italia, meaning any realistic chance of the first piece of silverware for the club since 1974 remains a lofty dream.
With an average age of just under 25, making them one of the league’s youngest squads, Bologna will do well to finish in the top half of the standings come May 2022.
COACH – SINISA MIHAJLOVIC
Should Sinisa Mihajlovic survive the first month of the season, he will become the longest-serving coach at the club since Francesco Guidolin’s tenure ended in 2003. Bologna have had 18 managerial changes since, with Mihajlovic enjoying a much-improved second stint in charge following his forgettable five-month tenure back in 2009.
He will no doubt look to improve on his consecutive 12th-place finishes over the past two seasons, with the experienced, youth-focused tactician hoping to build on the foundations he has laid since his arrival in January 2019. A solid base, coupled with numerous attacking talents and a seemingly endless supply of young prodigies will aid the Serbian well in this season’s cause.
CAPTAIN – ROBERTO SORIANO
Named as the new skipper at the start of the season, Roberto Soriano will want to immediately forget his first league encounter wearing the armband following his red card in Bologna’s opening-day 3-2 victory over Salernitana.
The well-travelled 30-year-old, who spent the majority of his youth career at Bayern Munich, has been part of the Rossoblu’s set-up since January 2019, and is regarded as one of the senior members of the squad. Featuring in all but one league game last season while contributing seven assists and a joint-high nine goals, the attacking midfielder will look to add his standout leadership abilities to his impressive displays on the pitch over the coming campaign.
PLAYER TO WATCH – MARK ARNAUTOVIC
One of just four players to breach the Italian defence at EURO2020, Austrian striker Marko Arnautovic needs little introduction. Having scored in the Eredivisie, Bundesliga, Premier League, Chinese Super League and the Champions League, the journeyman added Serie A to his impressive list on matchday 1, opening his account for Bologna with a goal on debut following his move to Italy from previous Chinese club Shanghai Port.
Enjoying a cult following in England after spending several years at Stoke City and then West Ham, he returns to Serie A to make amends for an unremarkable loan move at Inter Milan in 2009, where he made just three appearances all season. A physical presence upfront with a strong aerial game and an eye for goal, the 32-year-old will be heavily relied upon in attack, and slots in seamlessly to replace the departed Rodrigo Palacio as the club’s main goal-getter.