Bologna, 23 May 2024 – All of it Bologna for the Bologna. Cities and Bolognese. Commercial activities and shopkeepers. A lot of people cheering, shouting and celebrating.
The forty thousand people present along the route taken yesterday by the bus with the rossoblù on board do not know each other, but they embrace each other and rejoice together for a goal that seemed impossible, and which has instead been achieved. As Pasolini said, “typhus is a youth disease that lasts a lifetime”: the conquest of Champions League was celebrated with a unique party in terms of transport, affection, participation and intensity, with the “who makes the world tremble” team who on the open-top bus – which from Dall’Ara crossed the city streets arriving in Piazza Maggiore – she enjoyed every single moment.
The rossoblù people gathered yesterday in Piazza Maggiore, where the parade for qualification for the Champions League ended
A journey in which the Bologna boys gave their best: with themed glasses, jester hats and scarves, the footballers transformed into true showmen.
The soundtrack of the celebrations, obviously, are the songs of Cesare Cremonini and The Year to Come by Lucio Dallainevitable.
A party that, under the Two Towers, had not been seen for decades. Indeed, perhaps it had never been seen before: the players throw scarves, shirts and caps. A small gift for the fans who followed them for this one incredible season. Of course, the tribute that the city organized for the heroes who accomplished the feat is truly something unique.
The open-top bus with the footballers passes between rows of cheering fans
On the street yesterday, everyone was there, no one was missing to celebrate and thank those who granted this moment and entry into the Champions League. In the middle, too the coach Thiago Motta who, unlike his boys, cheerful and without restraint, remained more composed, with smiles and hugs, but without standing on the railings. Where, however, the footballers spent the entire time of the parade, astride, dancing and singing.
Lorenzo De Silvestri He has hair dyed red and blue, Ndoye the flag of Europe waves, Zirkzee he is busy entertaining the river of enthusiasts who flock to the streets en masse. With the Dutch there is Riccardo Calafioristanding on the railing.
They close the circle Riccardo Orsolini, holding a cup-shaped inflatable and Federico Ravaglia, the son of Bologna. Who looks at her, her city, which has taken to the streets and squares to rejoice together with him.
The sky is red and blue. Bologna is red and blue (including Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo Re Enzo and Palazzo del Podestà, illuminated in the club’s colours).
The people are red and blue. And this team is more red and blue than ever. “This is your Champions team”, he will later say in the square Joey Saputo at the height of the party.
At each stage of the route, from the start in via Andrea Costa, fans gather, positioned in every corner. Rivers of Bolognese people along Sant’Isaia, Marconi, dei Mille and Indipendenza streets.
And it is almost at the end of the journey that Motta comes out into the open again, greeting the fans, moved: whether this is a sign of farewell or gratitude we will only discover later, but the emotion, that of having made history, is indisputable. The coach waves and greets everyone, even throwing a hat.
The party ends in Piazza Maggiore, only after singing at the top of your lungs with the club. Orsolini launches the chorus and the square explodes screaming Champions League (video). Then, the speaker calls the name and surname of each member of the team and the roar starts.
Applause also for managers Di Vaio, Sartori and for the Mister Thiago Motta.
“Television said the new year will bring a transformation and we’re all already waiting,” he sang Lucio Dalla. And the people of Bologna waited and waited. The year has finally arrived. “Thank you guys, forever.”
