Two Lille fans were stabbed during an attack carried out by dozens of Bologna supporters before the two teams’ Champions League fixture, the French Ligue 1 club said on Wednesday. In a statement, Lille said the two fans “received medical treatment” after the attack outside a bar in the northern Italian city late on Tuesday. “The club unreservedly condemns this cowardly and intolerable attack, which contravenes all the values of football,” said Lille before Wednesday’s game. Italian media, citing local police, said 80 people, most likely Bologna supporters, assaulted around 30 Lille fans outside a bar in the city’s university district while armed with metal bars and belts.

Videos published online show a large group of men, mostly dressed in black and wearing balaclavas roaming the streets.

Police say during the attack three Lille fans were hurt in total, all three of whom were treated and then discharged from Bologna’s Sant’Orsola hospital.

Lille are in contention for a spot in the play-offs for the Champions League’s last 16 as they sit 17th, while Bologna have a single point after four matches and are fighting to not be eliminated.

Manchester United signed Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in a deal worth a reported 36.5 million pound (46.3 million dollar) on Sunday. Zirkzee agreed a five-year contract with the Premier League club that includes the option of a further 12 months. United reportedly opted to pay slightly more than Zirkzee’s 33.6 million pound release clause in order to spread the fee over a three-year period to help with Profit and Sustainability Rules. The 23-year-old rose to prominence in Serie A last season as he helped Bologna unexpectedly qualify for the Champions League.

He scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for Bologna last term and was also part of the Netherlands squad that reached the Euro 2024 semi-finals before losing to England.

United’s Dutch boss Erik ten Hag spoke to Zirkzee to convince his compatriot to make the move to Old Trafford.

“I am a player who has always dedicated everything to winning; I’m ready for this next challenge, to go to another level in my career and win more trophies,” said Zirkzee, who started his senior career with Bayern Munich and had loan spells with Parma and Anderlecht prior to joining Bologna.

“Having had discussions with the manager and the leaders of the club I know how exciting the future is going to be here and I cannot wait to play my part in achieving success for Manchester United.

“It is a privilege to join such an iconic club. I have to take a short break now after being with the national team, but I’ll be coming back ready to make an impact straight away.”

Zirkzee will compete with Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony for a place in United’s attack in the coming season.