Bologna coach embraces underdog role ahead of Europa League showdown but promises an open, fearless approach
As anticipation builds for a high-stakes Europa League clash in Rome, Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano is embracing realism—while still backing his team to compete.
Speaking ahead of the decisive second leg against Roma, Italiano acknowledged the quality gap between the two sides, even assigning a slight advantage to the Giallorossi.
“Roma have something more than us, in every aspect,” he admitted. “If I had to put a number on it, maybe they have a 51% chance of going through.”
It’s a candid assessment from a coach who has guided Bologna to one of their most impressive European campaigns in recent years. But rather than shy away from the challenge, Italiano made it clear his team will approach the match head-on.
No fear, no calculations
With both teams needing a result, Italiano ruled out any cautious tactics, insisting Bologna will play with ambition at a packed Stadio Olimpico.
“In a game like this, where both sides need to win, there’s no room for speculation,” he said. “We’ll have to play openly. Quality will make the difference.”
The atmosphere is expected to be intense, with tens of thousands of Roma supporters creating one of the most hostile environments in Italian football. Italiano, however, sees it as part of the experience his players must embrace.
“We’re facing a strong team in a very heated stadium,” he said. “But we’ve earned the right to be here, and we want to have our say.”
A journey already worth celebrating
Regardless of the outcome, Italiano stressed that reaching this stage of the competition already represents a significant achievement for Bologna.
“The objective was to get past the previous round, and we did that,” he explained. “Being here, in a competition of this level, makes us proud.”
He even revealed that the team celebrated qualification with a symbolic moment after the group stage—an indication of how meaningful this European run has been for the club.
Still, there’s no sense of satisfaction. Italiano wants more.
“We know there’s still a long way to go before anything bigger,” he said. “This isn’t a final—it’s an important step that can give us something extra for the rest of the season.”
Respect for Roma—and the competition
Italiano also pointed to the overall level of the Europa League this season, highlighting the presence of several top clubs still in contention.
“This is a tough competition,” he noted. “There are teams like Porto, Aston Villa, Lyon, Stuttgart—being part of this is an honor.”
And while he reiterated Roma’s superior depth and experience, he suggested that in a one-off knockout scenario, anything can happen.
“People always say the other team looks better,” he added. “But in matches like this, what matters is what you do on the pitch.”
With humility, clarity, and quiet confidence, Italiano has set the tone: Bologna may be slight underdogs—but they won’t back down.
