Joshua Zirkzee draws inspiration from NBA icon Kobe Bryant following Bologna’s secure qualification for a European tournament next season. Despite uncertainty about whether it’s the Conference League, Europa League, or Champions League, Bologna’s minimum 8th place finish in Serie A ensures their participation in UEFA competition for 2024-25.

Thiago Motta’s squad stands strongly positioned for Champions League qualification, currently fourth and only two points shy of third-placed Juventus. Notably, this season’s top five Serie A teams advance to the esteemed European tournament.

Crucially, Bologna maintains a six-point lead over sixth-placed Atalanta, despite Atalanta having a game in hand.

While acknowledging this notable achievement, Motta and his team aspire for more, a sentiment clearly echoed by Zirkzee in his recent Instagram post.

The Dutch forward shared a brief video clip of a memorable Bryant press conference, where Bryant refrained from celebrating the LA Lakers’ 2-0 lead in the 2009 Finals.

“What’s there to be happy about? The job’s not finished. The job is not finished,” asserted the NBA legend.

“Is the job finished? I don’t think so.”

It’s evident that Zirkzee shares the same determination and focus.

Joshua Zirkzee

This season he played in total 32 times for 2619 minutes for Serie A.

Joshua Zirkzee  scored 12 goals for Bologna. He procured 5 assists. He received 8 yellow cards and no red cards.

His team is currently 4th in Serie A. In the last match Bologna drew 1-1 against Udinese.

Bologna performance and stats

Bologna is currently 4th in the Serie A with 63 points.

In the last 34 games, it has won 17 times, drawn 12 times, and lost 5 times. In its last match, Bologna drawn 1-1 against Udinese.​​

It has a positive goal difference after scoring 49 goals and conceding 27.​