Why Italiano is still not on the Bologna bench after hospital stay

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano is in the dressing room for tonight’s game against Parma, but won’t be on the touchline as he continues recovery from pneumonia.

It kicks off at the Stadio Tardini at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Italiano was first hospitalised at the Sant’Orsola clinic in Bologna on October 21 to receive treatment for pneumonia and remained there for a week.

His assistant manager Daniel Niccolini has stepped in for the last few games in the Europa League and Serie A.

He is again on the touchline for this evening’s Emilia-Romagna Derby with Parma, despite the fact Italiano has made the very short trip to the Stadio Tardini.

“We had considered having him on the bench, but considering the weather conditions too, he thought it best to stay indoors,” Niccolini told Sky Sport Italia.

“But he was in the dressing room before the game, and he will be again at half-time and after the match, so he is ensuring the players feel his presence.”

Italiano was spotted wearing a protective face mask too, as he does not want to add any other issues to his already strained immune system.