LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 11: Head Coach Vincenzo Italiano of Bologna FC 1909 in motion in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Part MD6 match between SL Benfica and Bologna FC 1909 at Estadio da Luz on December 11, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photograph by Gualter Fatia/Getty Pictures)
Vincenzo Italiano was ‘very completely satisfied’ with the Bologna efficiency to earn some extent away to high-flying Benfica, after they edged possession. ‘We now have a transparent identification.’
The Rossoblu knew their probabilities of extending the Champions League marketing campaign past January had been slim, however they put in a robust efficiency on the Estadio da Luz for a 0-0 draw.
This was solely their second level in six video games, the opposite being one other 0-0 within the opening fixture in opposition to Shakhtar Donetsk, and once more goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski deserved a lot of the credit score for his heroics.
“I’m pleased with what the lads did tonight. It was tough, arriving right here in our present type in opposition to a group that commonly wins and scores a number of targets, we deserve credit score for inflicting them so many issues,” Italiano informed Sky Sport Italia.
“We truly hoped for greater than some extent, however the efficiency – particularly within the first half – was of a excessive degree. They raised the tempo after the break, had been extra aggressive, however we nonetheless bought a deal with on them and will’ve performed extra in our attacking conditions with two on two and three on three.”
Bologna truly dominated possession within the first half in Lisbon and finally simply sneaked it general with 51 per cent, additionally finishing 363 passes to 340.
Italiano pissed off by Bologna ending
The issue for Italiano’s aspect is all the time the identical, that they battle badly to transform their possession and probabilities into targets.
“Dallinga had the same scenario in the latest sport and put it within the nook, he had an equivalent probability right this moment and may’ve performed extra.
“We had a number of conditions the place we bought the end or the final go improper. We created probabilities, prompted enormous issues for a terrific aspect like Benfica.”
It was significantly spectacular contemplating the variety of accidents that Italiano needed to cope with, lacking Riccardo Orsolini, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Juan Miranda, Michel Aebischer, Oussama El Azzouzi and Niccolò Cambiaghi.
“I noticed gamers who hadn’t performed as a lot and actually stepped up right this moment, like Urbanski enjoying extensive, Moro in midfield, Holm who needed to adapt as a left-back, Casale getting minutes in his legs.
“It actually was not simple right here and the lads are very completely satisfied, additionally as they put together for the subsequent video games. I’m very completely satisfied too, as I noticed a response from many lads, we now have a transparent identification and our strategy doesn’t change even after we rotate the squad.
“I noticed what I wished to see tonight.”
Bologna will not be assured elimination from the Champions League but with two factors from six video games.
