Bologna will start the new campaign quietly confident it can avoid the relegation zone, after gaining promotion through the Serie B play-offs at the end of last season.
The Rossoblu finished in fourth place in Italy’s second tier and returned to the Serie A at the expense of Pescara, courtesy of a second-leg 1-1 draw.
The Stadio Renato Dall’Ara side will be wanting to circumvent the usually inevitable reality in which newly promoted teams succumb to the drop, after just one season in Italy’s top flight. Look no further than the likes of Cesena, Livorno and Pescara who all suffered that fate in the previous few years.
But with the recent examples of Empoli and Palermo maintaining its status in the Serie A for another year, it only adds to Bologna’s chances of survival – that no challenge is ever unattainable.
A number of promising acquisitions over the summer has also improved Bologna’s ambitions of cementing itself as a perennial Serie A team, following the expenditure outlaid by the Felsinei hierarchy.
Transfers
This season there is certainly good reason to be optimistic about the Emilia-Romagna outfit thanks to the financial investment by the club’s relatively new American and Canadian owners.
The complexion of the Rossoblu’s transfer dealings this current window looks extremely encouraging with several shrewd signings made, while no notable departures to speak of.
Arguably the biggest purchase of the summer so far has been auspicious left-back Ibrahima Mbaye. The 20-year-old joined the side in January 2015 on-loan from Inter, but made the move permanent during the summer in a deal worth €3.5 million.
Experienced campaigner Luca Rossenttini and defender Lorenzo Crisetig also join the club from Cagliari and the Nerazzurri respectively, as both provide superb stability down the spine of the team.
Goalkeeper Antonio Mirante left beleaguered Parma, who were consigned to the fourth division of Italian football following the club’s bankruptcy and will likely hold down the number one spot between the posts for Delio Rossi’s men.
A rather unknown who could be one of the recruits of the season is the arrival of Erick Pulgar from Chilean outfit Universidad Catolica. The 21-year-old already has two international caps for La Roja and his versatility could prove vital, as he can be deployed in a centre-back or defensive midfielder role.
Matteo Brighi is another new player acquired from Sassuolo and brings a plethora of knowledge in the heart of the midfield, acting as a screen in front of the back four.
The departures of Jose Angel Crespo to Cordoba, as well as veterans, Michele Pazienza, Diego Perez and Matuzalem are the only significant losses to a side which appears well-equipped to face the trials and tribulations of one of the world’s most tactical leagues.
The Coach – Delio Rossi
A man who boasts a coaching career of 25 years, Delio Rossi has an exceptional pedigree and knows what it takes to remain in the Serie A and evade the drop. Rossi guided Sampdoria away to safety in the 2012-13 campaign and also has been at the helm of Palermo, Genoa, Fiorentina and Lazio.
However, the 55-year-old has not managed a full season with a club since his time with the Aquile six years ago.
Rossi joined Bologna only in May after then incumbent boss Diego Lopez was relieved of his duties, after a slump in performances.
The decision to hire the former Fiorentina gaffer with a month remaining in the season, ultimately proved a masterstroke as Rossi secured promotion for the Veltri for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign.
Season Expectations
Expectations should not be raised too high on the Rossoblu, given they just gained ascension via the play-offs and not through automatic qualification.
Nevertheless, following a busy summer offseason where a combination of experienced and talented youngsters have been brought into the team, there are plenty of reasons to be excited.
However, the solitary thought on the club and Rossi’s mind is to survive the drop zone and ensure they can compete and beat the sides around them – which they are more than capable of achieving.
Prediction
As alluded to earlier, following numerous quality signings, Bologna may just surprise a few people and finish the year in mid-table.
There is sufficient depth in the squad at Rossi’s disposal with possibly the only piece missing in the side is a clinical striker.
Forward Rolando Bianchi has returned from a loan spell with Atalanta, but has struggled for form since moving to Bologna in 2013, while auxiliary striker Franco Brienza was procured on a free transfer from Cesena.
Despite the previous goal-scoring exploits of these two players, another younger, energetic forward will likely be needed to convince many fans they have a genuine chance of being one of the revelations of the year.
Expected finish: 15th (NB: this is not necessarily Gianluca Filosi’s opinion but the average of our editors’ predictions.)
