5️⃣ things you need to know about Bologna - 'Welcome to Italy' | OneFootball

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To celebrate, we are delving into the history and traditions of some of Serie A’s most storied clubs, exploring the beauty and passion which makes them so fascinating and unique.

Today we are looking at…

Who are Bologna?

Bologna are one of the founding members of Serie A, formed back in 1909. Their early years saw them lift seven league titles, but the last one of those came in 1964, leaving their supporters still waiting for further domestic glory.

Their only European trophy came back in 1998, as they were named winners of the much-missed Intertoto Cup and were able to advance to the UEFA Cup alongside Valencia and Werder Bremen.

What is the Stadio Renato dall’Ara like?

Bologna’s stadium is another venue constructed during the time of Benito Mussolini’s fascist rule over Italy.

The famous archway built into the design once contained a statue of the dictator on horseback, but was demolished when the city was liberated back in 1943.

This was one of the stadiums used for Italia ’90 and was where David Platt scored his famous extra-time goal against Belgium in the 119th minute.

Who are their Ultras?

There’s no better person to describe what Bologna’s Ultras are like than Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson, who joined the club from Aberdeen back in 2022.

“I walked out the front door of the training ground and there was just a big group of ultras and a group of players standing this far apart. No security, no nothing. I walked out and I was like, ‘f*** sake’.

“They’re scary guys. Spiderwebs tattooed on their faces – those kind of guys! They’ve got all the mad tattoos that make them look scary.

“I didn’t really know what was going on because they were shouting in Italian but they were so passionate. But it got too far, I thought it was too far.

“They were in your face and pointing, and a few of our players lost it with them. It could have turned into a Royal Rumble At one point, I couldn’t understand what they were saying but one of the fans had said we weren’t working hard enough or training hard enough. One of the boys then said something back and it was close to starting a fight.

“Wee (Gary) Medel picked the biggest guy out them all and was honestly wanting to take him 1v1. Boys were having to hold him back.

“It was mental but it was brilliant because I’d never experienced anything like that and when I went back inside, I was like ‘f****** hell’, and the boys said ‘welcome to Italy’.”

What is Bologna famous for?

Bologna is recognised worldwide for having the oldest university in the world, opened in 1088.

The city is served well by the budget airlines, making a trip quick and convenient for a weekend football trip.

Food is of course a big part of Bologna’s culture, with ragù Bolognese (Bolognese sauce) and Tortellini in brodo (filled pasta in broth) the city’s main dishes.

Just don’t ask them for Spaghetti Bolognese – they don’t tend to take it well.

Their biggest achievement?

With their league titles a distant memory, qualification for this season’s Champions League is certainly Bologna’s biggest achievement in the modern era.

In the eight seasons that came before their fifth-placed finish in 2023/24, Bologna had swung between league positions of 9th and 15th, and aside from a few relegation seasons, the decades since their last league title had been largely the same.

Participation in Europe’s elite competition then, has broken up years of mid-table mediocrity for Bologna’s fans.

Trips to the likes of Anfield – no matter the result – is something they must’ve been dreaming of for as far back as they can remember.

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