Even on Friday evening, in a crucial challenge for Europe in the San Siro, he illuminated the stage with a peach and opened the score between Bologna and AC Milan. It was a goal that turned out to be useless at the time, given the comeback of the Rossoneri, but he signed the game, as happened many times this season and often in the moments that count.
The career of Riccardo Orsolini is a story about challenges and resilience, of a talent that has undergone moments of uncertainty, but who eventually found his way. His story, which has his roots in a village in the Marche region, is that of a young man who started in the periphery of Italian football and has succeeded in setting up as a protagonist in an ever -demanding Serie A.
He is a path that, although characterized by many ups and downs, had its peak in a reviving Bologna, where Orsolini has settled as one of their brightest stars.
Fast turnout, Juventus and a sudden fall
Orsolini was born in Ascoli Piceno and grew up in Rotella, a corner of the Marche where the silence of the province seemed far away from the large football centers. But it was in that small village that he started to form his destination.
Even as a boy he showed an innate talent, with technology and speed that did not go unnoticed. He started in Ascoli's Youth Academy, where, although far from the spotlights, he came forward as a young man of great promise.
In 2015, at the age of 18, he debuted in the first team, but it was in 2016 that he exploded and settled as one of the most promising young people in the B. series.
It was then that the fate of the young player took a decisive turn, it seemed. His versions did not go unnoticed, not even because of the big names, and in January 2017 Juventus decided to invest in Orsolini and buy him downright. It was a time when a new challenge seemed to mark that from moving to one of the most prestigious clubs in world football.
The Bianconeri left him in Ascoli to complete his development. That season, the Young Forward confirmed its talent with eight goals in 41 performances. In the summer he finished third with Italy at the World Cup under 20 in South Korea, he won the Scarpa d'Oro with five goals and continued his reputation.
Despite the encouraging signs, Juventus did not put full trust on him and decided to send him on loan again, this time to Atalanta. Unfortunately, the experience in Bergamo turned out to be far below the expectations: Orsolini was only used sporadically and, in the absence of trust from the club, could not express its full potential.
Bologna: the redemption and explosion of 'Orsonaldo'
However, fate is sometimes ready to offer new opportunities, and it was in January 2018 that the career of Orsolini took a definitive turn. The young player left Atalanta and moved to Bologna, again 18 months on loan from Juventus, in what turned out to be the real turning point of his career.
Bologna, despite experiencing an up-and-down period, offered Orsolini the right stage to prove its value. Under the leadership of Sinisa Mihajlovic, Orsolini found his lost confidence, seemed to be, and the Rossoblu bought him for 15 million euros, so that he could become an undisputed star.
From that year on, his career made a big leap: Sterrendom under the supervision of Thiago Motta, the historic Champions League qualification, all finished with 62 goals in 235 official performances in the Rossoblu shirt. Among those were some spectacular goals, along with dizzying skills that clearly show the jump in the quality of the player, now known as 'Orsonaldo', and for good reasons.
Nowadays the eyes of Italian football are fixed on Orsolini, which is no longer an emerging talent, but an authentic Serie A-star. With 13 goals and three assists this season, the latter of which was not enough to beat AC Milan on Friday, he enchanted decisive plays and has seen his self -confidence achieve extraordinary heights thanks to the arrival of Vincenzo Italiano, who has been able to get the best out of his quality.
His impact was so important that the last Italian player who scored more than 12 goals in a Serie A season with Bologna was Alberto Gilardino in 2012/13 (13 goals).
As it looks now, Bologna is only one point away from fourth place, which would guarantee access to the Champions League for the second consecutive time. The first was a historic goal, also conquered thanks to 'Orso', who has become a real idol of the Rossoblu fans and symbol of a team that season after season write a new, extraordinary page of their history.
And for those who, just like coach Luciano Spalletti of the national team, continue to look at him with suspicion, orsolini responds with a fearless smile, score goals that are a nightmare for keepers and challenging everyone who doubts his greatness.
For cameras, the number seven of Bologna imitates the gesture of knocking on the door, as if he wants to remind him he is there and that he is ready. The remaining doors for Orsolini are all threatening to be brought down. If you are looking for proof of that, his story says it all.
Bologna then plays in the Coppa Italia Final against AC Milan.
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