Bologna boss Mihajlovic makes emotional return to dugout during leukaemia battle for match vs Lazio

BOLOGNA welcomed back coach Sinisa Mihajlovic for the game with Lazio after he was given permission to attend amid his battle with leukaemia.

Sunday’s Serie A game marked an emotional moment for both clubs as the Serbian’s current team took on the side he won the Scudetto with as a player.

Mihajlovic announced that he had been diagnosed with an acute form of leukaemia in the summer but vowed to remain in charge of the team.

When news broke that he would be attending the match, fans of both Lazio and Bologna made a pilgrimage to the city’s San Luca church in a show of support for the 50-year-old and all suffering from the illness.

And Mihajlovic appeared on the pitch before the game to thank supporters, receiving an emotional standing ovation amid the Rossoblu’s 110th anniversary celebrations.

As the former midfielder made his way out, Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi embraced the teammate he won the 1999/00 Serie A title alongside.

Under doctor’s orders, Mihajlovic wore a facemask to the Stadio Renatio Dall’Ara given he is still undergoing a second course of chemotherapy.

Reports in Italy say he requested to attend the clash due to its personal importance to him and recent blood tests showed he was fit to temporarily leave the Sant’Orsola Hospital.

Having also taken charge of the early season encounters against Hellas Verona and SPAL, doctors have told the coach that there will be times in his treatment when he won’t be well enough to leave the hospital.

Mihajlovic reportedly hoped his presence would help inspire mid-table Bologna to turn around their drab defeat to Udinese.

A half-time phone call from his hospital bed during last month’s clash with Brescia certainly helped, the Emilia-Romagna club coming back from two goals down to win 4-3.

Footage emerged after that game of the squad chanting their coach’s name as the team bus made a late night stop-off at his treatment room.