Rome, May 13 (EFE).- Italian club Bologna qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1964-65 season after Roma lost to Atalanta 1-2 in the Serie A championship on Sunday.
Brazilian coach Thiago Motta, who also holds Italian citizenship, transformed the club in less than two seasons after his arrival in September 2022.
Former Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and PSG midfielder Motta, who represented both Brazil and Italy in international football, helped Bologna finish ninth in his first season at the club.
Motta made Bologna a revelation of Italian football this season, with only champions-elect Inter Milan and its San Siro partner AC Milan remaining above them in the Serie A points table.
Bologna, who are ahead of Juventus on goal difference, beat outgoing champions Napoli in Naples on Saturday.
It raised the club’s tally to 67 points from 36 matches, improving their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Roma’s defeat only confirmed that they would play in the top European competition after 60 years.
Their Champions League appearance will also be the club’s first entry into European competitions in 25 years after 1999-2000, when they played in the Europa League.
In addition to Bologna, Juventus have also qualified for the Champions League after a year away from UEFA competitions due to sanctions imposed on the club. EFE
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