Bologna

Against all expectations, Bologna were outstanding last season, finishing 5th and qualifying for the Champions League again after almost 60 years. Their start to the campaign was a slow one as they picked up too many draws but, come November, they initiated an unstoppable run that brought them on the 3rd place with 2 games left to play. Unfortunately for them, they had already run out of gas and obtained just 1 point from those fixtures, thus falling back in the table. Thanks to a solid defending, they held the 3rd-best defence of the Serie A, with 32 goals conceded, Bologna were almost unbeatable but they just drew too many games, 14, with only Udinese drawing more. Coach Thiago Motta, the architect of their incredible campaign, was lured away by Juventus money after less than 2 seasons at the helm. Thus, Bologna hired Vincenzo Italiano, who brought Fiorentina to play 3 finals in the last two years. Motta gone, several protagonists of the past campaign also left. Starting centre-back Calafiori was sold to Arsenal and Bologna hired Erlic, coming from last season’s Sassuolo disaster. The latter should only be a back-up, though, as they are still on the hunt for a starter for the heart of the defence. Starting left-back Kristiansen returned to his parent club but Miranda, from Betis, should represent an adequate replacement. In the attack, they lost winger Saelemaekers, who returned to Milan after doing well, and, above all, striker Zirkzee, their top scorer with 12 goals and 7 assists, who was sold to Manchester United. For the wing, they signed Cambiaghi, coming from Atalanta after a positive stint at Empoli, while Dallinga, another Dutchman, who had an excellent season in Toulouse, will be expected to replace Zirkzee up-front. Moreover, they hired a right winger/full-back in Holm, coming off a forgettable experience at Atalanta, and, they signed permanently fundamental midfielder Freuler and back-up striker/winger Odgaard.