Atalanta vs Bologna – Italiano underlines Bernardeschi importance & backs Rowe to ‘become a champion’

On Bernardeschi, Italiano was effusive.

“We can say it now because the season is almost over, we won the bet,” he said.

“We were not gambling everything on a youngster nobody knew. There were doubts about getting him back in condition after years away from European football. In the end he blossomed and the player we knew returned. He is still a big kid because he still enjoys himself and gets angry when he does not play. He still has fire inside.”

Rowe drew similarly warm words, though with a clear challenge attached. “He can become a champion if only he understood that training requires the same intensity as a match,” Italiano said. “It is not that he is not training well, but he needs to make this growth step in terms of intensity to improve further.”

CREMONA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on April 05, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

On Bologna’s inconsistency between home and away form, Italiano was honest. “You cannot always have an explanation,” he said.

“Perhaps too much fervour and euphoria has made us less rational in front of our own fans. Away from home we have found incredible concreteness, we defend well and often score with our first shot on target. We did not do it on purpose, and I know some grumbling has arrived for this.”

Italiano also confirmed that Skorupski will start in goal if fit, having made a promise to the goalkeeper earlier in the week. On the Conference League race, he refused to concede. “They have nothing left to ask of the season.” “We will try until the end.”

The Bologna coach also took a moment to reflect on Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final with visible emotion. “Seeing that match made me think that we were there and we rejoiced,” he said. “I am proud of having lifted that trophy and doing something incredible.”