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.