‘Proud’ Italiano hopes Ferguson replicates Scotland performances at Bologna

Vincenzo Italiano feels Lewis Ferguson ‘performs at a very high level’ with the Scotland national team, but is not always ‘sharp’ with Bologna: ‘It’s a bit of an up-and-down period.’

Italiano previewed tomorrow’s Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Inter at a pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Scotland international Ferguson started just two of the last five Serie A games, spending those against Udinese and Cremonese on the bench.

He’s not fully fit, so how many minutes could he play tomorrow?

“It’s not a matter of minutes or fitness. He’s alternating matches of great focus and quality with others that are less sharp. It can happen,” Italiano said via Sky Sport Italia.

“There are no issues. When he goes away with the national team, he performs at a very high level; here, it’s a bit of an up-and-down period. He’s also coming off some minor knee issues.”

Ciro Immobile is available, but Bologna have injury problems in defence.

“Immobile won’t be able to start. He doesn’t have the minutes in his legs, but he can give us a big help during the match,” Italiano said.

“There’s some concern about him getting injured again, but right now I see him calm and playing freely.

“Having him means personality, goals, experience and danger. I hope to increase his minutes soon.

“We have major difficulties in defence. De Silvestri and Lykogiannis already helped us by adapting [to a centre-back position],” the Bologna coach continued.

“Lucumì is doing much better with his tendon, Vitik joined the group for the first time yesterday, and numerically, we are adding some players.

“We want to do well, also for the President. He suffers when we lose, and it’s a spectacle when we win. I repeat, there is enormous pride.”

Bologna are the 2024-25 Coppa Italia winners and will meet last season’s Serie A runners-up Inter.

In the other semifinal, defending Scudetto champions Napoli will meet Coppa Italia runners-up Milan.

“It’s a knockout game, with penalties after 90 minutes, so it’s a different kind of game. It’s also a different Inter, involving many players and offering something new tactically,” said Italiano.

“Apart from the game against Liverpool, decided by a questionable incident, they are a team that plays well, aggressively and creates chances. They are champions, and Chivu has brought quite a few new ideas. We know we’re facing one of the best teams in Italy and Europe.

“We’re not just happy, more than that. And proud to be here. I always tell the lads there’s something to prove and something to lose so we have to be ready. We earned this place. We’re in good shape even though we’re coming off a league defeat, but we approach every competition with enthusiasm and confidence.”