Thijs Dallinga

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

Amid the red and blue of Bologna's stuttering Serie A campaign, Thijs Dallinga has emerged as an unlikely focal point. The Rossoblu sit 10th in the table, their recent form reading like a distress signal—four consecutive defeats before a crucial victory finally stopped the rot. Yet through the turbulence, the 25-year-old Dutch striker has quietly compiled a respectable return: 4 goals and 4 assists across 28 appearances, contributing roughly every 140 minutes. Valued at €12 million, Dallinga embodies the modern target man—less prolific poacher, more selfless facilitator. His link-up play has been instrumental in knitting together Bologna's forward line, creating space for creative talents like Riccardo Orsolini to flourish. Operating primarily in a rotation role with 1,118 minutes logged, his discipline stands out: zero yellow cards in a campaign where frustration could easily have boiled over. For a Netherlands international making his mark in Italian football, Dallinga represents intelligent recruitment—a player who understands his role and executes it without ego. As Bologna look to climb clear of mid-table, their Dutch forward's ability to hold up play and bring others into the game could prove decisive in the season's closing weeks.