Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘it’s an honour for Bologna to be’ within the Europa League final 16 and warns ‘the worth of the Roma squad is increased in each manner.’
It’s all to play for after the primary leg ended 1-1, and is determined on the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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This stadium has fond reminiscences for the Rossoblu, as they beat Milan final season to win the Coppa Italia Closing right here, their first piece of silverware in over 50 years.
Italiano notes Bologna progress
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC throughout the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
“That match is what allowed us to be right here, and it’s an indelible reminiscence for all of us,”
“We’re right here, we’ve honoured this competitors with many robust performances and deservedly getting via the play-offs.
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“It was our goal to succeed in this stage and now we’re right here towards a powerful opponent, in a passionate ambiance. We are going to attempt to have our say and do all the pieces we will to trigger them issues.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gamers of Bologna acknowledge the followers following the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Spherical of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
Italiano had mentioned after the primary leg that the 1-1 end result meant Roma had a 51 per cent likelihood of going via.
“I stand by that, we have now to present triple our potential to get via. We’ve got to be sensible, the target was to succeed in the final 16 and we achieved it, so we needs to be completely happy simply being right here and we celebrated after the group stage with an unlimited cake.
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“I’ve been in European soccer for just a few years now, I do know the Europa League is hard. There are high groups like Porto, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lyon, so it’s an honour for Bologna to be right here.”
Bologna are out of the Coppa Italia and struggling in Serie A, so attempting to go so far as potential within the Europa League can also be a goal for the season.
“It is a crucial recreation that can provide us a lift going into the ultimate weeks of the season, however it’s not a crossroads. We all know who we’re and what we would like,” assured Italiano.
“Once you face Roma right here, the ambiance is totally different. We already skilled that and know what to anticipate, together with the added enjoyment of enjoying in Europe.
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“We received’t let ourselves be intimidated, it’ll be an intense match and we’d like high quality. It’s all the time a recreation with depth if Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, previous to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Spherical of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photograph by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Pictures)
Italiano is raring to level out that if any Serie A aspect goes to intention for Europa League triumph, it’s in all probability Roma.
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“The worth of their squad is increased than ours, in each manner. It’s proved by their place within the Serie A desk, by the extent of their particular person gamers, after which add within the ambiance.
“It’s a recreation the place either side want a victory, so there will be no calculations, we have now to play an open and attacking match. High quality makes the distinction.”