Marcelo Zalayeta arrives at Bologna
Bologna have been given a boost in confidence ahead of Saturday's Serie A game at Bari with the arrival of Uruguay forward Marcelo Zalayeta.
Zalayeta joins the Rossoblu on loan from Napoli for the entire season.
The 30-year-old, who scored four goals in 27 league appearances for Napoli last season, will be hoping to revive his career at Bologna.
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Zalayeta.
"I cannot wait to make myself useful for the team.
"I arrive on a temporary basis and I would like to make an impact in my time here.
"I am here to try to do a very good job, that is my aim."
At Bologna, Zalayeta teams up with former Juventus colleague Marco di Vaio, who was last season's second top scorer in the league with 24 goals.
"I am not surprised at Di Vaio's great form last season," said Zalayeta.
"He is used to scoring a lot.
"He had already proved before he came to Juventus that he was a player capable of scoring 20 goals a year."
It is likely Bologna coach Giuseppe Papadopulo will give Zalayeta a place in his starting XI on Saturday with Di Vaio and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo struggling with injuries.
Zalayeta and Riccardo Pasi could steer Bologna in attack against the southerners.
"I am available to play on Saturday," said Zalayeta.
"But it will be the coach who decides. I don't think I can play for 90 minutes as I have not reached my top form just yet."
Papadopulo will be hoping his team show the same fighting spirit against promoted side Bari that earned them a point in last Saturday's eventful 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.
"It was a good performance, that showed our spirit," he said.
Opponents Bari go into this weekend's encounter also looking for their first win of the season.
Bari coach Giampiero Ventura was proud of his team for their 1-1 draw with defending champions Inter Milan last weekend.
The result marked a successful return to Serie A for the promoted outfit.
"Of course we are happy to have at least managed to score the equaliser," said Ventura.
"We could have even won the game had we made the most of our chances.
"But it's nevertheless a good start and that is what we wanted.
"Now we must go out and get all three points against Bologna."
Bari will have a packed San Nicola stadium as the anticipation regarding tomorrow's game could not be any greater with the club having waited eight years to host a top-flight match.
Ventura will be without last-minute signing Massimo Donati for the clash against Bologna.
Bari agreed terms with Celtic for the transfer of the Italian midfielder.
Donati has agreed a four-year contract but will only arrive on Monday.
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