Italiano: ‘Bologna look at positive aspects, still objectives for us’

“The real problem was the first leg, where we made big mistakes,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

“We wanted to play a different game, but they wouldn’t allow us, and their early goals made it difficult for us to keep believing. Aston Villa are an excellent team, and our European adventure was on the whole very positive.

“We must do well to learn from this experience if we want to compete at that level, because Aston Villa have so much quality throughout the squad. We had a tough run in Europe, eliminating Roma in the Round of 16.

“Now we still have objectives and want to end the season on a positive note.”

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)

It looks as if after the Champions League and then Europa League in the last two years, Bologna might not be participating in UEFA tournaments next season.

“As long as we are not mathematically out, it is our duty to keep pushing. Right now, we are eager to lock down eighth place, but the last six rounds give us a very complicated fixture list.

“We must try to keep improving, and then see where we could end up.”

Nicolò Casale is the latest addition to the injury list with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez already on the treatment table.

Lewis Ferguson missed last week’s win over Lecce through suspension and returns here, but is surprisingly only on the bench, as there are seven changes from the side that lost to Aston Villa.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Bologna FC 1909 and AS Roma at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on March 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“We didn’t get back home until Friday evening, but this is why we wanted to build a squad with double options for every role. Helland makes his first start today, he has quality and we’ll see what he can give us to the end of the season,” concluded Italiano.