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BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, interacts with his staff during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg Two match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on April 16, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Bologna director Claudio Fenucci assures they will ‘continue the journey’ with coach Vincenzo Italiano and did not know Roma were interested in Jonathan Rowe.
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It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Parma-Pisa and Verona-Lecce on the Liveblog.
These sides met last month in the Europa League Round of 16, and it was a thrilling tie, the first leg ending 1-1 at the Dall’Ara, then a 3-3 draw in the Capital, eventually won 4-3 by Bologna in extra time.
Bologna backing Italiano
“Italiano’s words were badly interpreted, I already spoke to the team, and we are determined to lock down eighth place with a small hope of seventh too, so there is plenty of motivation,” Fenucci told DAZN Italia.
“We always try to be among the teams who can compete directly below the big clubs, who have better financial capabilities and therefore a better chance of European qualification.
“We get along well with the coach, he has a modern, intense and attacking style of football, very European in style, as seen by the fact that other than against Aston Villa, we never lost in the Europa League this season.
“Our journey with Italiano continues, we will like all clubs who have a drop in revenue have to make a few adjustments, but we also have a strong majority shareholder.”
Bologna still have hope of locking down seventh place, which could give them access to Europe via the Conference League, if Lazio don’t win the Coppa Italia.
Surprisingly, Italiano has reshuffled his tactics to use a three-man defence, mirroring Gian Piero Gasperini’s approach.
Jonathan Rowe had also been targeted by Roma over the summer, but ended up at Bologna instead.
“Rowe was a pretty quick negotiations with Marseille, we also spoke to Roberto De Zerbi about him, so I don’t know if Roma were after him or not,” replied Fenucci.
“He took a little time to adapt to Italian football, but is one of our strongest players, and I hope he can maintain his recent form.”
