2 giorni fa
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The Dutchman has never fully convinced, but he is sending important signals to manager Tedesco.
Thijs Dallinga has had a curious trajectory. The Dutchman was signed by Toulouse for €15 million in the summer of 2024, with the intention, given his cost and reputation, that he would not merely be a backup to Castro but at least an equal. This was when Bologna (here's the fantasy football team analysis) were preparing for their historic Champions League debut, and Dallinga was considered a high-calibre reinforcement. Now, on the eve of his third season with the Rossoblù, the striker is looking for yet another resurgence. There have been flashes of brilliance, certainly, but he has never fully convinced. Getting out of this limbo is the priority. This could also mean a change of scenery, as there is no shortage of admirers. Alternatively, he could re-establish himself with the Rossoblù, as a Plan B to Dovbyk (here's his fantasy football profile). Both hypotheses have valid premises, making it difficult to predict his future at present. Meanwhile, the Dutchman is very much in Domenico Tedesco's thoughts, sending encouraging signals: goals and vibrancy in the test against his compatriots from Cambuur and a desire to play his cards while waiting for the Ukrainian to also be brought into action. He's focused on the present, in short, but with the transfer market in the background, hinting at unpredictability. The Rossoblù club's approach is pragmatic: Thijs as an alternative to Dovbyk to cover the centre-forward spot makes sense. However, if offers were to arrive for the Dutchman, they would still be listened to. Valencia have been following him for some time. In France, where the striker made his breakthrough, Lens have come forward, and Werder Bremen could also consider the Rossoblù forward. At that point, Bologna would return to the market to completely overhaul their attacking line. These are just scenarios, for now.
Two-Year Spell
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Indeed, his two-year spell with the Rossoblù has not been entirely convincing. His first season was marked by rare flashes in the league: 3 goals in 31 appearances. His technique is undeniable, but there's a certain lightness that doesn't quite suit our league. In the Coppa Italia, he enjoyed two glorious evenings in the semi-final against Empoli: a brace in Tuscany and a goal in the return leg. It was he who secured Bologna's historic qualification for the Rome final, which they then won against Milan. He also added a Champions League goal against Borussia Dortmund, contributing to a prestigious victory. Last season, he managed only 2 league goals, but with significantly less playing time, while in the Europa League, he showed his best form: 3 goals against Steaua, Salzburg, and Celtic. Dallinga is a player for cup nights. Now, at the dawn of a new day, he needs to understand if Bologna was merely a temporary chapter.
This article was originally written in Italian by La Gazzetta dello Sport editor. The English version has been generated using AI translation tools. If you notice any translation errors or have suggestions, please contact us at iniziativegazzetta@rcs.it
