Position: 13
Points: 46
Comparison with previous season: +5 (12th)
Season overview
Bologna has had yet another comfortable season in Serie A and perhaps the next step is to try to qualify for Europe. Marko Arnautovic joined the team in the summer and has been immense for Bologna. Scorer of 14 goals in 33 appearances, the Austria international provided the goals needed by the Rossoblu in 2020-21, when they finished one point above, but with five points less than in the current campaign. Aaron Hickey also burst onto the scene this season, as has been rumoured with plenty of interest from bigger clubs in Italy and outside of Italy. Sinisa Mihajlovic has created a system that works for Bologna as they continue to grow young talents as we saw Takehiro Tomayasu make a big move to Arsenal. Mihajlovic has created stability and consistency under Bologna, and they will continue to look to grow more players and potentially even creep up the Serie A table.
Turning point of the season
On matchday 7 Sinisa Mihajlovic deiced to change his formation from 4-2-3-1 to 3-4-2-1. The switch paid off as they thoroughly dismantled opponents Lazio beating them 3-0. From then on, he would shift to a three at the back formation using variations of 3-4-3, 3-5-2, and 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1. After defeating Spezia 2-1, new signing Marko Arnautovic finally gained some momentum. Although he scored on his debut for Bologna against Salernitana, it has been a long season for the Austrian forward. At 33 years old, his pairing with Mussa Barrow has helped lessen the load on the other Bologna players.
Coach – Sinisa Mihajlovic
Back in March, the former defender announced the second round of cancer treatment after he had beaten leukaemia in 2019. He remained in the hospital for nearly two months, but his players made him proud, remaining unbeaten while he was forced off the pitch. They beat Inter, picking up draws against Milan and Juventus. Mihajlovic’s leadership and outspokenness for his team have propelled them to become regulars in the Italian top flight of football. With just a bit more added to his squad, Bologna could potentially push for a European spot in the upcoming seasons with proper recruitment.
Player of the year – Aaron Hickey
Remember the name. The 19-year-old has developed massively at the Stadio Dall’Ara in his second season at the club. He contributed to five goals in 36 appearances, scoring five goals and delivering one assist and imposing himself as one of the best left-backs in the league. He has plenty of room for improvement and has been linked with a move at Arsenal where he would reunite with Tomiyasu, who moved to the Emirates Stadium from the Dall’Ara less than a year ago.
Disappointing player of the year – Riccardo Orsolini
The Italy international made 29 appearances and only managed six goals and three assists which is about the same as his output from last season when he had seven goals and three assists in 34 appearances. Orsolini was expected to make a jump and progress from last season, but he has been stagnant as the creative part of this Bologna team. In 150 matches with Bologna, he has only scored 35 goals which simply is not good enough for a player regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the country. If Bologna want to creep up higher in the Serie A standings, Orsolini must be better in his quality going forward or the Rossoblu may decide to drop him and gamble on another player looking for an upgrade in that position.
@MiguelAj29