Lewis Ferguson paid poignant Bologna tribute as injured star's Champions League dream edges closer

Bologna's players gathered to pay a classy tribute to their injured captain Lewis Ferguson before going out and shocking Roma on their own turf to move one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League.

After limping off in a goalless draw with Monza last weekend, it was confirmed that Scotland star Ferguson would have to undergo surgery for an ankle ligament problem - bringing a premature end to his fantastic season and robbing him of the chance of representing his country at this summer's European Championships.

The 24-year-old has been one of the standout players in Serie A this season, with six goals and four assists in 31 matches for Thiago Motta's side. And prior to kick off on Monday night's huge clash with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, the Bologna squad posed for a picture while holding aloft Ferguson's number 19 jersey in a poignant show of support for the former Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies midfielder. The image was quickly shared by Ferguson on his social media, with the player appreciating the sentiment with the caption: "What a team".

Motta's men have been the surprise package in the Italian top-flight this season and a stunning campaign has left them in pole position to land a place in Europe's premier competition for the first time since 1964. The top five teams in Serie A will earn Champions League qualification, and Motta's men extended their seven point advantage in fourth-place over nearest challengers Roma with a superb display in a 3-1 win in the Eternal City.

I Rossoblu raced into a 2-0 lead at the break thanks to a goal from Oussama El Azzouzi - who replaced the injured Ferguson - and star forward Joshua Zirkzee on the brink of half-time. Hosts Roma pulled a goal back through substitute Sardar Azmoun 11 minutes after the restart only for Bologna winger Alexis Saelemaekers to wrap up the points with an exquisite chipped finish with 25 minutes remaining.

Ferguson will reportedly be out of action until the beginning of next season, with Bologna also facing a battle to keep a hold of influential boss Motta. The former Inter Milan and Barcelona star is being eyed up in a summer swoop by Turin giant Juventus, who are also said to be keen admirers of Ferguson and young Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori.