Italiano's Bologna Eye Europa Revival: 'We've Turned the Corner' Before Brann Chill-Out
Vincenzo Italiano believes Bologna have turned a corner after ending their poor run with a win at Torino, ahead of their Europa League play-off first leg against SK Brann in Norway. The coach is wary of the tricky pitch and Brann's home advantage following their previous 0-0 group stage draw, with key absences forcing squad rotation. He urges a smart result to set up the return leg at home.
Alright, footy fans, grab your pint and pull up a stool because Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna's gaffer, is sounding like a man who's just escaped the relegation trapdoor. After what can only be described as a proper wobble – tumbling out of the Coppa Italia and slipping down the Serie A table like a greasy kebab – the Rossoblu finally notched a vital 2-1 win at Torino over the weekend. 'We've turned a corner,' Italiano beamed to Sky Sport Italia, and now they're packing their thermals for a Europa League play-off jaunt to Norway to face SK Brann. First leg's Thursday in Bergen, 17:45 GMT, and let's just say it's not your typical Italian job.
Picture this: Bologna's plane rocks up late, no time for a proper pitch recce, and Italiano's already squinting into the gloom muttering about the turf looking dodgier than a dodgy VAR call. 'It's dark, but it doesn't look perfect,' he said. 'We'll suss it out tomorrow.' Smart lad – Norwegian pitches in winter can be more ice rink than football field, and with Brann fresh off a Spanish training camp (lucky sods), they're primed like wolves in the snow. These two locked horns back in November at the Dall'Ara, ending in a gritty 0-0 after Charalampos Lykogiannis saw red after just 23 minutes. 'Odd game that,' Italiano chuckled. 'Down to 10 men early, but we held firm. Expect fireworks on their patch – other teams have come a cropper here.'
Brann's been twiddling thumbs during their domestic winter hibernation, laser-focused on this tie. Bologna? They've been juggling Serie A woes, Supercoppa dreams (dashed in Riyadh against Napoli), and that Coppa heartbreak. But that Torino scalp has injected some much-needed swagger. 'Winning breeds enthusiasm and confidence,' Italiano preached. 'The Europa League's a beaut – go deep, and it spills over to Serie A self-belief.' He's spot on; nothing like Euro nights to paper over domestic cracks.
Squad-wise, it's rotation station. Lykogiannis is sidelined with injury, while Lorenzo De Silvestri and Torbjorn Heggem are cup-tied – forcing Italiano to shuffle the deck. The travelling posse boasts keepers like Pessina, Ravaglia, and Skorupski; defenders including Casale, Lucumi, Joao Mario, Miranda, Vitik, and Zortea; midfield maestros Ferguson, Freuler, Moro, Pobega, and Sohm; and attackers such as Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi, Castro, Dallinga, Dominguez, Odgaard, Orsolini, and Rowe. Plenty of firepower to thaw the Norwegian chill.
Italiano's mantra? Get a result in Bergen to set up the home leg sweet as. 'It's 180 minutes,' he reminded. 'First leg, play smart, adapt to the madness.' With Brann hungry on home soil, Bologna can't afford slip-ups – think hostile crowd, biting cold, and a pitch that might fancy itself as a ski slope. Yet, post-Torino, the vibes are buoyant. As original reporting from Susy Campanale at Football Italia highlights, this could be the spark to reignite Bologna's season.
So, mate, if you're tuning in, expect grit, maybe a cheeky counter or two from Italiano's lot, and Brann throwing everything at 'em. Bologna's no strangers to underdog scraps, and with the gaffer preaching momentum, who knows? They might just slide into the next round smoother than a post-match pint. Forza Rossoblu – or should I say, Forza in the Fjords? Keep an eye on it; this play-off's got upset written all over it.