A home victory on the final day of the Serie B season has helped Bologna to clinch a return to Italy's top flight after a three-year absence.Massimo Marazzina's ninth-minute penalty was enough to beat Pisa 1-0 on Sunday to secure the runners-up spot in Serie B and the all-important promotion.

In a close-run contest, the seven-times Italian champions held off the challenge of Lecce, who also won 1-0 against Vicenza to finish a point behind in third.

It means Lecce must now play-off with Albinoleffe, Brescia and Pisa for the final promotion berth.

The other team to be automatically promoted to Serie A are Chievo Verona, who secured the championship with a 2-2 draw at home to Bari.

Bologna's promotion comes as it was recently revealed that the club are the subject of takeover interest from an American consortium.

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