Japan midfielder Hidetoshi Nakata scored his first goal since moving to Bologna on loan from Parma and set up another in an inspired performance in the 3-1 win at Udinese in the Serie A on Saturday.
Hidetoshi Nakata of Bologna eludes the tackle of an Udinese player during their Serie A game in Udinese.
Tomas Locatelli saw his brilliant 22nd-minute opener for the visitors canceled out by Udinese's Czech midfielder Marek Jankulovzki before Nakata opened his account for his new club to restore the lead two minutes after the interval.
The 27-year-old beat Udinese goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis from all of 30 meters with a low free-kick for his first Serie A goal in 11 months and then created the third in the dying stages with a fine ball from the right for Leonardo Coluccu to drive home.
"Soccer's a team game. I'm just one player trying to provide what's necessary to help this team improve," said Nakata, who refused to be drawn on whether he will stay with Bologna next season.