Italiano's Roma Reluctance: Bologna Plot Weakness Raid in Europa Last-16 Thriller
Bologna host Roma in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg, with coach Vincenzo Italiano admitting he'd rather avoid the all-Italian clash to let both progress. Despite patchy home form and injury concerns, he eyes exploiting Roma's weaknesses with returns like Pobega and rotations featuring Dallinga. Gasperini earns praise as Bologna aim to turn the tide in a high-stakes duel.
Bologna vs Roma: Italiano's Candid Confession
Picture this: two Italian sides slugging it out in the Europa League Round of 16, guaranteeing just one Tricolore survivor. Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano isn't mincing words – he'd have loved a kinder draw to let both squads march on. As reported by Susy Campanale at Football Italia, the gaffer spilled the beans ahead of Thursday's 17:45 GMT kick-off at the Stadio Dall'Ara.
Italiano's lot haven't had it easy lately. A rocky start to 2026 gave way to a winning streak, only for a gutting home loss to bottom-dwellers Hellas Verona to sour the mood. "We've parked that one," he insists, eyes firmly on Roma's soft spots. It's all-Italian agony, but Bologna fancy teasing out those flaws.
Squad Shake-Up: Returns and Rotations
Good news on the treatment table – Juan Miranda and Torbjorn Heggem are back in training, though starting gigs aren't guaranteed. Tommaso Pobega has a "very good chance" of anchoring midfield, while Thijs Dallinga might spell knackered Santiago Castro up top. Expect Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe to flank him, with Riccardo Orsolini warming the bench.
Roma, meanwhile, could unleash Donyell Malen – the Villa loanee who's hit form, Bryan Zaragoza, and Niccolò Pisilli. Italiano knows Malen well from an earlier Europa League dust-up with Aston Villa. Charalampos Lykogiannis and Lorenzo De Silvestri are doubts or sidelined for Bologna, adding intrigue.
Italiano's not sweating the second leg at the Olimpico just yet – a Sassuolo Serie A clash looms post-first leg. But he admits the away cauldron won't be a picnic, especially after Roma nicked a 1-0 opener there back in August.
Home Blues and Gasperini Glow
Bologna's Stadio Dall'Ara fortress has turned into a leaky shed since December 2025 – just three wins, two draws, and eight defeats across all comps. Italiano's dissected the lot: some deserved Ls, others down to lapses in focus. "Attitude's spot on, but distractions cost dear," he says. They struggle when bossing possession, getting slack on marking.
Opponents Roma, under Gian Piero Gasperini, ooze class. Italiano hails the Atalanta legend as the benchmark – trophies galore, football that's pure poetry. Roma defend like Trojans and counter viciously, Malen their sharp outlet. Fancy the coaches grabbing a late-night bite? "We'd need a spot open till dawn – chat would flow forever!"
It's a derby of deep knowledge; both know each other's tricks inside out. First European Italian clash for Italiano, but he's buzzing for the chance to push on. Bologna's campaign hinges on flipping home form – a Verona blip proves Serie A's chaos, where minnows munch giants.
Verdict: Tease, Tussle, Triumph?
Thursday's 18:45 CET showdown could be a cracker. Bologna crave European momentum amid domestic stutters; Roma eye quarters. One Italian bows out, but Italiano's plotting an upset. Will Dall'Ara roar back to life, or will Gasperini's machine grind them down? Grab the popcorn – or a pint – this one's unmissable.