Italiano reflects on unlucky Bologna in Champions League | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano hails Bologna for getting through a ‘stuttering’ start to fly in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, but insists their Champions League campaign was unlucky.

The former Fiorentina coach had not been expected to follow in the footsteps of Thiago Motta at the Stadio Dall’Ara, especially with the addition of Europe’s top campaign to deal with.

However, his side is currently seventh in Serie A with a game in hand, eliminated Atalanta to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals and ended the Champions League with six points.

“We did well to emerge from a stuttering start in Serie A, where we had a lot of stalemates,” Italiano told Sport Mediaset.

“It was done despite the energy sapped by participating in the Champions League, so with some important victories, we are now right behind the top teams in Serie A.”

Italiano hoped for more in Champions League

Bologna’s coach Vincenzo Italiano celebrates winning the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bologna FC and Borussia Dortmund at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

There are some regrets that their Champions League experience ended at the first hurdle by failing to qualify for the play-offs, but they did get to celebrate their first ever victory in the competition, beating Borussia Dortmund.

“We had a very tough draw, as every team we faced ended up going through other than Shakhtar Donetsk. The one regret was the first match against Shakhtar, where we could’ve done more, as a victory would’ve really launched us in that tournament.”

Bologna drew with Shakhtar Donetsk, Benfica and Sporting CP, losing to Liverpool, Aston Villa, AS Monaco and LOSC.

“In the end, we are pleased to have been on such a fantastic stage and I think it also helped us to grow as a team in other tournaments. It is the mother of all competitions, the Champions League has packed stadiums, players of top quality, and I was impressed by the tempo and intensity of those sides.”

Lorenzo De Silvestri scored in Serie A last week and is their talismanic captain, but was cut from the Champions League squad and therefore did not participate in the tournament.

“It did hurt me to leave him out, but he knew it was planned and stayed with the team throughout the Champions League journey. We all know what a great professional he is and his performances make everyone proud,” concluded Italiano.