Bologna go into this season in a unique situation. On the one hand, they hope to build on a great second half of the season under Siniša Mihajlović that saw them finish 10th. On the other, there is a huge, dark cloud hanging over the club due to Mihajlović being diagnosed with acute leukaemia over the summer. That situation obviously creates a lot of uncertainty. Still, there is a lot of excitement due to clever additions to an already good squad and interesting tactics. This tactical analysis scout report of Bologna will provide a season preview of the tactics they will look to implement.
Tactical analysis: Siniša Mihajlovićs tactics
Siniša Mihajlović has had spells at various different Serie A clubs, including Fiorentina, Milan, Sampdoria and Torino, without impressing tactically. My overriding image of a Mihajlović team is one pumped with a lot of energy but with little tactical substance when the enthusiasm fades. He has always seemed to be a motivator rather than an innovator. However, his work with Bologna last season (when he returned for a second spell at the club) and now in pre-season suggests some clear, interesting tactical ideas.
Just like in his time at Torino, Mihajlović has preferred a 4-1-4-1 defensively. In possession, Bologna move into a 3-4-2-1 and look to build from the back. Ever since Paulo Sousas flexible Fiorentina, who defended in a 4-4-1-1 and attacked in a 3-4-2-1, weve seen many Serie A coaches opt for such flexible systems. Below, Ill look at how Mihajlović makes his Bologna system work.
Interesting rotations
As I will look at later, Bologna defend in a 4-1-4-1 formation. In possession, that shape changes into a 3-4-2-1 with the right-back moving into the position a right-sided centre-back would occupy while the right-winger stays wide. On the left, the opposite occurs as the left-back moves forward to maintain width while the left-winger moves inside. Additionally, the right-sided central midfielder moves higher to create the midfield box highlighted in the image below.
These movements allow Bologna to position players between the lines of the opposition and give them various passing options at different horizontal lines. It also allows them to have a compact shape in defensive transition as the players are positioned well to allow for intense counter-pressing, which is something Mihajlović wants.
The image below again highlights the different roles played by the full-backs, in this friendly against Augsburg it was Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back and Mitchell Dijks at left-back. Tomiyaso remains narrow and forms a back-three with fellow new signings Danilo (central centre-back) and Stefan Denswil (left-sided centre-back). Dijks (white), however, remains wide on the left with Riccardo Orsolini (black), the right-winger, providing the width on the right with Tomiyasu narrow.
