The 1998-99 campaign delivered a spectacular European adventure for Bologna, led by manager Carlo Mazzone. The Rossoblu clinched the UEFA Intertoto Cup to qualify for the UEFA Cup, where they embarked on a historic run all the way to the semi-finals, only narrowly losing to Marseille on the away goals rule. In Serie A, they finished a respectable 9th, securing European qualification again after a crucial play-off victory over Inter Milan. Spearheading the attack was the new club hero, Giuseppe 'Beppe' Signori, whose 15 league goals in his debut season established him as a beloved club symbol and powered their best-ever European performance.. The 1999-00 campaign was a season of turbulence and European action for Bologna, as the Rossoblu finished 11th in Serie A. The year was marked by a mid-season managerial change from Sergio Buso to Francesco Guidolin, who steered the club to safety. Leading the charge was the legendary forward Giuseppe Signori, whose 15 crucial goals anchored the attack, placing him among the league's top scorers. The season also featured a run in the UEFA Cup, where Bologna notably reached the Third Round before being defeated by the eventual tournament winners, Galatasaray.