Today, July 1st, the 2024/2025 season officially opens, also for BolognaYesterday, June 30, was the last day under the two towers for several players who wore the rossoblù shirt for one or more seasons.
Today they said goodbye to Bologna, in fact, Alexis SaelemaekersVictor Kristiansen e Adam SoumaoroThe first two were among the protagonists of Bologna’s Champions League ride, while the third has never actually set foot on the pitch this year due to the very serious knee injury suffered in May 2023 at Castellani.
Saelemaekers and Kristiansen, buybacks too high for Bologna
The same fate befell Saelemaekers e Kristiansen, who a year ago had signed a loan contract for one year, with a deadline of 30 June 2024. Bologna has decided not to exercise either of the two redemption rights. The main reason is the excessively high price of the two cards – 9.5 million for the Belgian, around 15 million for the Dane.
Bologna evidently believed they could find more functional players at the same price (or at a lower cost). On the left in defence, for example, the rossoblù have secured the services of Juan Miranda (who will be made official shortly) on a free transfer.
On the offensive front, Sartori still has to make some moves but the “Cobra”’s ability to find quality players at a low price is well known.
Saelemaekers’ season is considered positive overall. After a complicated start to the season in terms of performance, the Belgian was instrumental in Bologna’s last two months, which were crucial in view of the Champions League.
Kristiansen wasn’t as decisive, but his upgrade in the second round is there for all to see. The Dane still has a lot to work on in the defensive phase (as also demonstrated at Euro2024 with his Denmark), but he has all it takes to grow.
Soumaoro, an example of a professional
Adama Soumaoro spent his last year under the two towers trying to recover from the bad injury he suffered in May last year. Thiago Motta had reported that if he had continued his experience at Bologna, Soumaoro would have stayed. However, the departure of the Italian-Brazilian coach has reshuffled the cards on the table.
The Franco-Malian defender has trained hard to return to the pitch as soon as possible, his physicality was decisive for Thiago Motta’s first Bologna. However, the additions of quality centre-backs such as Lucumi and especially Calafiori and Beukema have effectively barred his doors from a future perspective.
As stated several times in press conferences by Thiago Motta, Soumaoro he always continued to train with the goal of coming back stronger sooner. Never a complaint, never a word of discouragement, just determination and the will to get back on the pitch.
We can only wish Soumaoro the best for the rest of his career.
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