The 2008-09 campaign was a dramatic, nerve-shredding season of survival for Bologna, with the newly-promoted Rossoblu clinging to a vital 17th-place finish in Serie A. The year was defined by the phenomenal, career-best goalscoring of veteran striker Marco Di Vaio, whose incredible 24 goals single-handedly anchored the attack and saw him finish joint second top-scorer in the league. Despite a turbulent season marked by multiple managerial changes, Di Vaio's individual brilliance, including a hat-trick against Torino and a surprise opening-day victory over Milan in Ronaldinho's debut, proved the difference, delivering top-flight status for another year and cementing his legend among the Rossoblu faithful.