Italiano: ‘Bologna did great things and belong in Europa League’

Vincenzo Italiano feels Bologna have ‘done great things’ in the Europa League so far and ‘proved we belong in this tournament’ as they prepare for the play-offs.

The Rossoblu knew that their fate would ultimately depend on other results too, and for a while they were in eighth place ahead of Roma on goal difference, heading into the Round of 16.

However, ultimately the 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv was enough to finish 10th and be top seeds in the play-offs.

Jonathan Rowe, Riccardo Orsolini and late on Tommaso Pobega got the goals on neutral turf at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola.

“We had a professional match, we were hungry to make the most of the few chances we had of getting into the top eight, and we did our part this evening,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“There is nothing to be taken for granted in the Europa League, so finishing 10th ahead of some quality teams is a good result. I like this format because there are so few games, everyone goes for the win and plays open, attacking football, as they know how important every point can be.”

Bologna had lost the first match to Aston Villa, but then remained unbeaten in the Europa League.

“I think we did really great things in this phase, as after losing the opener, we picked up 14 points in six games, proving that we belong in this tournament. Now we will prepare, see who we are up against, and are happy with our journey so far,” added Italiano.

The draw will be held on Friday and Bologna will be up against either SK Brann, who they already faced for a 0-0 draw when down to 10 men in the league phase, or Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs.

They had been stuttering in 2026, managing just one victory, three stalemates and four losses in all competition until this 3-0 win.

“It had been a while since we put in such a complete performance, effective in attack, solid in defence, and I liked Lewis Ferguson in that advanced midfield position too. I think he could’ve scored in the first half, we made a few too many mistakes there,” continued the Bologna coach.

“Cambiaghi provided the assist for Pobega off the bench, Bernardeschi got some playing time after a month and a half out. It was a positive day, we hope to continue like this.

“I feel in the last five matches, we have improved a lot, even if the results didn’t show it. Today we had maturity and growth, we played with the right attitude, and I hope we can start getting the results in Serie A now too. A month ago, we were in an incredible position in the table and threw it all away.

“We’ve got to whittle down some of those errors, pay more attention, avoid some distractions and keep building. We have another three months in all the tournaments, there is a lot we can still do this season.”

Rowe had struggled at the start of his Bologna experience after a traumatic exit from Olympique Marseille, but is really beginning to find form and scored this evening.

“He can do well on the right or left, he is starting to be more relaxed, less timid, but I feel he can be even more decisive and go for goal a lot more. He’s a different player to the one who first arrived. I think he can still do so much more,” concluded Italiano.