#NerazzurriClassics – The Ronaldo, Youri Djorkaeff & Roberto Baggio Show As Inter Milan Beat Bologna In Six Goal Thriller | OneFootball

On September 14th, 1997 – Luigi Simoni’s Inter Milan travelled to Bologna for a Match Day 2 Serie A clash at the  Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, headlined by Ronaldo vs Roberto Baggio.

Inter were looking to keep the winning start going under newly appointed manager Luigi Simoni.

With the team finishing third in the previous season behind champions Juventus and runner-up Parma, the Nerazzurri strengthened the squad significantly.

Diego Simeone, Francesco Moriero, Alvaro Recoba but above all Ronaldo had been signed.

With more fire power to supplement the star man Ronaldo as lead striker, Massimo Moratti and Inter were hoping to mount a first serious title push since the Trapattoni’s scudetto winning Inter side of 1989.

The season underway would end up being a successful season for Bologna. The club managed to finish inside top ten in the Serie A for the second year straight.

This time leading the front line was the legendary Roberto Baggio who joined the Rossoblu after a torrid tenure at AC Milan.

Baggio only managed to score only 12 goals in 51 matches. Baggio would go on to score 23 goals in all competitions for Bologna during the 1997-98 season.

The  Italian media marked this game as Baggio vs Ronaldo, a clash of two legendary strikers going head-to-head.

Bologna were coming off a high scoring encounter against Atalanta in Bergamo for their season opener.

However, losing that game 4-2 where the team were scoreless for 85 minutes and one of the two goals came via penalty in the 90th minute.

Ronaldo and Inter were coming off a 2-1 win in their season opener against Brescia at San Siro.

Bologna Vs Inter Milan – Roberto Baggio Vs Ronaldo

Nov 1997: Roberto Baggio of Bologna celebrates scoring during the Serie A match against Napoli at the Stadio Renato Dall”ara in Bologna, Italy. Bologna won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Alvaro Recoba scored a brace in the final five minutes of the match as a substitute to win the game for the Nerazzurri.

Essentially stealing the limelight from Ronaldo in a match that saw them both make their Inter debuts.

Both teams went into the round two match looking for their identity for the season.

The starting eleven for Bologna were Alex Brunner, Massimo Paganin, Stefano Torrisi, Carlo Nervo, Oscar Magoni, Giancarlo Marocchi, Michele Paramatti, Kennet Andersson, Roberto Baggio and Igor Kolyvanov.

Inter Milan started with Gianluca Pagliuca in goal. A backline of Giuseppe Bergomi, Fabio Galante and Luca Mezzano. Taribo West played slightly ahead of the back three.

Salvatore Fresi and Javier Zanetti on the flanks. In central midfield Diego Simeone was joined by Youri Djorkaeff. Meanwhile up front Ronaldo was joined by Maurizio Ganz.

Inter got off to a great start. This when, Fabio Galante scored from a towering header off a Djorkaeff corner kick in the 12th minute.

Leading up to the opening goal, both sides played physically tough through the middle. Both teams pushing either side to the wings to build up attacking opportunities.

Subsequently, after taking the lead, Inter retained possession more. Thus limiting Bologna’s attack to only counter-attacking opportunities with Baggio orchestrating through the middle.

Masterful Second Half Display By Inter Milan As Ronaldo Responds To Roberto Baggio

23 Oct 1999: Ronaldo of Inter Milan celebrates after scoring during the Serie A match against AC Milan played at the San Siro, in Milan, Italy. AC Milan won the match 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Claudio Villa /Allsport

Inter’s defence comfortably handled the Bologna attack comfortably for most of the first half. Buoyed on by the work-rate of Diego Simeone cleaning up the midfield, not letting up anything through the middle.

In the 38th minute, a Simeone once again won the ball in the middle of the park.

Youri Djorkaeff proceeded to deliver a delicious through-ball to Maurizio Ganz who placed the ball into the back of the net.

However before the half-time whistle blew, Bologna pulled one back. This came from a trademark world class free-kick from Roberto Baggio.

A powerful curled shot, from the edge of the area, right onto the top left corner of the goal. No chance for Pagliuca.

Roberto Baggio Makes No Mistake From The Spotkick

9 May 1999: Ronaldo of Inter Milan is congratulated for his goal during the Serie A match against Parma played at the San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy. The match finished in a 1-3 win for Parma. Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK /Allsport

Trailing by only a goal, Bologna came out of the half-time break with confidence. Playing with positive intent, looking for the tying goal,

Baggio started the second half a little bit further up the field in attack, closer to goal. In his favored trequartista position.

However before Bologna could score their second, a brilliant bit of footwork from Ronaldo turned the Bologna defences inside out.

The Brazilian made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute, once more assisted by Youri Djorkaeff. The Rossoblu kept fighting back.

The Rossoblu committed more men forward, looking for the tying goals to get back in the match.

This allowed more room for Ronaldo to operate in attack without being double teamed as he was for much of the first half.

While Inter managed to create more, Baggio converted a penalty in the 58th minute to half Inter’s lead.

The Youri Djorkaeff Show

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 29: Youri Djorkaeff of Inter Milan celebrates after scoring in a match against Atalanta in 1996 in Italy. (Photo by Allsport/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Despite Bologna’s best efforts in looking for the equalizer, Inter scored their fourth goal instead.

Youri Djorkaeff decided he needed to get on the scoresheet, turning finisher from provider. Diego Simeone won the ball and passed it to Djorkaeff.

The Frenchman scored from an outrageous distance, chipping the goal-keeper from approximately thirty-five yards out.

An absolute world class goal wrapped up the win for the Nerazzurri away at Bologna, continuing the winning start to the season.

The battle of the titans ended with Roberto Baggio scoring a brace, Ronaldo once but Youri Djorkaeff getting three assists and one goal, and Inter Milan winning 4-2 away to Bologna.