In his second spell in Italy, Arnautović is displaying indicators of getting reworked from the 20-year-old who so annoyed José Mourinho to a pacesetter on and off the pitch. Arnautović netted each targets in Bologna’s 2-0 win over Sampdoria this week to take his tally to 11 for the season. They have been additionally Bologna’s first targets since February.
But there was rather more to the 32-year-old Arnautović’s performances than simply the targets, because the Austria ahead demonstrated spirit and management, too. He would have had a hat trick have been it not for the crossbar, and one in all his many insightful passes was a pleasant by ball to Nicola Sansone, who additionally hit the crossbar.
Arnautović might want to once more be on the prime of his recreation when mid-table Bologna visits Juventus on Saturday. “He’s a player who’s in his own class,” mentioned Salernitana sporting director Walter Sabatini, who signed Arnautović final summer season when he was in the identical position at Bologna. “He doesn’t play soccer however he designs it, he ornaments it. You watch him and you’ll’t assist however fall in love.
“When he is in this form he becomes an obsession for the other team and a pleasure for his teammates. The goals he scored against Samp were the worst thing about his performance.”
It was that expertise that persuaded Inter Milan and Mourinho to signal Arnautović on mortgage from FC Twente in 2009. But he made solely three appearances earlier than leaving the next summer season after however choosing up Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League winner’s medals.
A younger Arnautović was distracted by Milan’s social scene and was continuously late to coaching — other than as soon as arriving 5 hours early after mixing up the occasions following an evening out.
“Marko is a fantastic guy but he has a kid’s attitude,” then-Inter coach Mourinho mentioned on the time. “Mario Balotelli is his best friend and they happen to have the same traits. It’s not easy.”
Arnautović went on to play for Werder Bremen, Stoke and West Ham earlier than transferring to Chinese membership Shanghai Port in 2019. He was introduced again to Europe by Sabatini and Bologna coach Siniša Mihajlović and instantly started repaying their religion in him.
“Mihajlović gives us so much energy and motivation; he’s like a father or an older brother for me,” Arnautović mentioned after the Sampdoria match. “I would do anything for him and we hope that he is happy with this victory and that we have helped him with this win.”
Mihajlović has needed to watch Bologna’s previous two matches from the hospital, the place he’s present process remedy following the return of his leukemia. He beat the illness in 2019.
“We are going through a very difficult situation without our coach,” Bologna sporting director Riccardo Bigon mentioned. “I need to thank all the boys, who always apply themselves with seriousness and heart. Obviously, this win is for Sinisa, who — despite the distance — talks to us every day and gives us all extra energy.”
Arnautović’s performances may earn him a transfer to an even bigger membership with Inter reportedly thinking about its former participant. Bologna is eager to maintain maintain of the Austrian, who’s underneath contract till June 2023.
“Arnautović is one of those players who will go down in Bologna history,” Bigon mentioned. “After the following few years you possibly can say what Arnautović has left on Bologna, as a result of he will probably be elementary for us within the coming seasons too.
“He’s been playing very well for several matches. Now he is doing what he knows how to do … he will be a cornerstone of this Bologna side.”
