Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against German side Freiburg in the Europa League, Bologna FC`s head coach, Vincenzo Italiano, has offered a measured yet optimistic assessment of his team`s performance and the road ahead. Navigating the competitive waters of European football, Italiano emphasizes patience, continuous improvement, and the immense untapped potential within his squad.
A Tale of Two Halves: Solidity Meets Struggle
The recent Europa League encounter against Freiburg presented a classic match of contrasting halves for the Rossoblù. Coach Italiano expressed particular satisfaction with the initial 45 minutes, praising his team`s defensive discipline and structure.
“The first half was very pleasing,” Italiano remarked in a post-match interview. “We approached it well, rediscovered our compactness, and conceded almost nothing to a challenging opponent, save for a few corners. This foundational solidity is something we are actively building upon.”
However, the second period told a different story. What Italiano anticipated would be a physical decline from Freiburg turned into a resilient stand, leaving Bologna struggling to assert their attacking dominance. “In the second half, I expected Freiburg to drop off physically, but they held strong until the ninetieth minute with well-built and quality players,” he noted. “We suffered a bit, and a draw was the outcome. While it`s just one point, it`s a valuable one, particularly given the performance we showed in parts.”
The Quest for Attacking Fluidity and Physicality
A key area for improvement, as highlighted by Italiano, lies in Bologna`s ability to transition and create impactful scoring opportunities, especially when under pressure. The team found it difficult to generate those crucial “breaks” necessary to penetrate Freiburg`s compact defense.
“We lacked the capacity to create those important breaks to land a decisive blow,” Italiano explained. “Freiburg remained compact, denying us the space to execute our planned attacks. While substitutions like Rowe and Bernardeschi provided a quarter-hour burst of new energy, we couldn`t sustain that change in momentum.”
Beyond tactical execution, physical condition also plays a significant role. The demanding schedule of Thursday-Sunday fixtures in European competition is a new rhythm for some players. “In part, yes,” Italiano conceded when asked about physical brilliance. “But it`s not just that; if you`re leading, it`s natural for the opponent to raise their level and put pressure on you. We need to grow accustomed to these demanding cycles. It`s still early October, and growth will certainly come.”
Nurturing Talent: “Enormous Margins for Growth”
Despite the challenges, Italiano remains steadfast in his belief in the squad`s potential. He champions a philosophy of patience and continuous development, particularly for younger talents and those integrating into the system.
“The lads need to stay calm; it`s early in the season, and there`s ample time to grow,” he asserted, drawing a parallel to the previous season where initial struggles gave way to significant improvement. “Berna will grow, Rowe will grow, everyone will grow. We are showing flashes of high-level performance; what we lack is continuity, but tactical solutions will arrive. There are enormous margins for growth within this squad, and I am convinced that by working consistently, we will find the completeness we seek.”
Expectations: A Stimulus, Not a Burden
The rising tide of expectations around Bologna, fueled by the club`s recent progress and results, is something Italiano acknowledges and embraces. Far from viewing it as a source of negative pressure, he sees it as a powerful motivator.
“The expectations exist, and they are a credit to us, to the club`s growth over these years, and to the results achieved,” Italiano stated with a firm conviction. “They must not become negative pressures; rather, they should serve as a stimulus. We delivered an excellent performance against the strongest team in our group in England, and at home, naturally, you always want to win, but it won`t be easy against anyone in this competition.”
He stresses a collective responsibility: “Everyone must contribute: my staff and I finding solutions, and the players applying themselves to the details that can be refined. The quick succession of matches will aid our physical and qualitative growth, even if certain specifics need adjusting in the brief spaces we have. The qualitative leap isn`t immediate; it happens in stages, step by step. The faster we overcome them, the quicker the results will follow. I am confident: this team has enormous potential.”
