The 2011-12 campaign delivered a season of dramatic, mid-season resurgence for Bologna as the Rossoblu, under the guidance of newly-appointed manager Stefano Pioli, recovered from a disastrous start to surge to a superb 9th-place finish in Serie A. Leading the charge in his final season was the legendary veteran captain Marco Di Vaio, whose 10 goals proved vital alongside the flair of the creative duo Alessandro Diamanti and Gastón Ramírez. It was an emotional year that culminated in a hero's farewell for Di Vaio in his last home game, marking the end of a golden era for the club.