30 September 2022
Juventus plunge back into action on Sunday when they host Bologna in Serie A Matchday 8.
The opponents from Emilia have collected six points so far with one win, three draws and three defeats.
A difficult start to the season, with no wins from the opening five fixtures, led Bologna to become the first club to change coach in Serie A this season, releasing Sinisa Mihajlovic in his fourth season in charge. A draw with Spezia was the match that provoked the end of Mihajlovic's tenure and inadvertently the same opponents supplied his successor.
THE COACH | THIAGO MOTTA
Thiago Motta was appointed as Bologna coach on 12 September, one day after the team collected their only victory so far. The Brazil-born former Italy international was watching from the stands when caretaker coach Luca Vigiani guided the team to a 2-1 comeback victory in the Derby dell'Appennino
The former midfielder began his coaching career at the club where he ended his playing days, Paris Saint Germain, with the Under 19. His first senior position was at the team that thrust him into the limelight in Italy, Genoa in October 2019: However, the experience was cut short after only 10 matches in all competitions, until December of the same year.
He returned to the dugout last season with Spezia. He was not confirmed at the helm by the Ligurian club even though he guided them to safety with 36 points.
THE PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR | MARKO ARNAUTOVIC
With six goals in seven appearances, Marko Arnautovic is currently the Serie A top marksman. The striker has scored against Lazio, Verona, Salernitana, a double against Spezia and Fiorentina, failing to find the net only against Milan and Empoli.
The Austrian, who turned 33 on 19 April, made his Serie A debut in season 2009/10 with Inter. After his brief experience in Milan, he enjoyed spells at Werder Bremen, Stoke City, West Ham United and Shanghai Port. Since arriving at Bologna in the summer of 2021, he has averaged exactly one goal every two games - 21 goals from 42 appearances until now, including a goal on his most recent visit to the Allianz Stadium.
