Emotional moment Bologna squad visit manager Mihajlovic in hospital after win over Inter as he has leukaemia treatment

BOLOGNA boss Sinisa Mihajlovic was paid a surprise visit by his team at the hospital after their 2-1 win against Inter Milan as he undergoes a course of leukaemia treatment.

The 53-year-old, who has been battling the blood cancer since 2019, has missed the club's last five matches after being admitted to Sant'Orsola Malpighi Hospital.

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Mihajlovic underwent three cycles of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant during his first battle with leukaemia.

But he returned to hospital last month after scans showed a risk of a relapse.

The former Lazio and Inter star has been watching Bologna's matches from his room, where he has been in contact with their staff and players via video link.

And his team surprised him outside his room on Thursday, with Mihajlovic looking out from his third floor window in footage shared by his wife Arianna on .

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It's not the first time Bologna have visited their manager, having stopped off at his hospital on the way home after his half-time team talk on the phone inspired a 4-3 comeback win at Brescia in September 2019.

Referencing that visit, Mihajlovic shouted down to his players: "The other time you came here to clear your conscience. Today you have deserved it!"

He then thanked his team for their shock comeback victory against Inter.

The two-time Serie A winner said: "You have made me ten years younger, thank you, I love you.

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"Since I’ve been here you’ve never lost, see if you can do it sooner or later so I can get out! But if you continue like this, I’m happy to stay in.”

Bologna's assistant Emilio De Leo has revealed how Mihajlovic was left "moved" by their victory.

He told Sky Sport Italia: "He congratulated the squad and confessed how much he really cared about this result.

"We didn’t like some of the speculation about us and how Bologna would approach this game, so the coach absolutely will not allow for any lack of professionalism.

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"Nobody should dare put that up for debate."

De Leo added: "Before the game, we told each other that we wanted to make our coach happy and fight for him.

"He was very proud, pleased and moved at the performance from his lads.”