Thiago Motta, the mastermind behind Bologna, has ignited fans’ hopes for a miraculous Champions League run.

Thiago Motta, the head coach of Bologna FC, celebrated a victory with Joshua Zirkzee during the Serie A TIM match against SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy. The triumph has sparked belief among the Bologna fans, and the Italian newspapers were filled with words like “miracle,” “fairytale,” and “dream” to describe the stunning comeback against Lazio, who had recently defeated Bayern Munich.

Back at the club’s training base, hundreds of fans gathered to welcome their conquering heroes. One long-time supporter told Gazzetta dello Sport that in his 60 years of supporting the club, he had never witnessed anything like this.

Bologna currently sits in fifth place in Serie A, just outside the top four on goal difference. Their 12 wins this season are the most in 22 years, and they have conceded the fewest goals since 1980-81. Their four-match winning streak is the longest since 1967, and their 45-point total after 25 games is the highest since the introduction of the three-points-for-a-win system.

Although Bologna is a big club with a proud history, their greatest achievements came before the war and in 1964. Since then, they have mostly been a mid-table team with occasional drops into lower divisions. However, they now have reason to believe that they are on the verge of ending a 25-year wait to reach a major European competition and potentially qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

Thiago Motta, affectionately called ‘Thiamo’ Motta by the fans, is the mastermind behind Bologna’s remarkable campaign. The former Barcelona, Inter, and Paris Saint-Germain player has developed a slick and cohesive 4-2-3-1 formation that has troubled their more illustrious opponents. With impressive possession, distance covered, and defensive record, Bologna is a team that knows how to play, think, and work hard.

Speculation about Motta’s future has been rife, with his agent suggesting that he would have no problem joining a big team. However, for now, Motta is earning adoration from the Bologna supporters who have started calling him ‘Thiamo’ Motta on social media.

Another player attracting attention is Joshua Zirkzee, Bologna’s star striker. The 22-year-old Dutchman has already scored 10 goals this season and has showcased his intelligence and technique with six assists. After Zirkzee’s winner against Lazio, Motta compared him to Ronaldinho, whom he played with at Barcelona.

Lewis Ferguson, a Scotland international, has also been a key player under Motta. His work rate, goal-scoring ability, and leadership qualities have made him an important figure in the team.

As the season progresses, serious questions are being asked about Bologna’s chances of reaching the Champions League. They are currently level on points with Atalanta, four points clear of Roma, with 13 games remaining. While they still have tough matches against top teams, Bologna does not have the distraction of midweek European games like their rivals. If they can secure a victory against Verona on Friday night, they will be one step closer to turning their dream into reality.