‘Bologna proud to be in Europa League R16, Roma higher quality ‘

TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Bologna FC 1909 head coach Vincenzo Italiano appears to be like on throughout the Serie A match between Torino FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on February 15, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photograph by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Photos)

Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘it’s an honour for Bologna to be’ within the Europa League final 16 and warns ‘the worth of the Roma squad is increased in each method.’

It’s all to play for after the primary leg ended 1-1, and is set on the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

This stadium has fond reminiscences for the Rossoblu, as they beat Milan final season to win the Coppa Italia Last right here, their first piece of silverware in over 50 years.

Italian notes Bologna progress

“That match is what allowed us to be right here, and it’s an indelible reminiscence for all of us,” mentioned Italiano in his press convention.

“We’re right here, we’ve honoured this competitors with many sturdy performances and deservedly getting by way of the play-offs.

“It was our goal to succeed in this stage and now we’re right here towards a powerful opponent, in a passionate ambiance. We’ll attempt to have our say and do all the pieces we will to trigger them issues.”

Italiano had mentioned after the primary leg that the 1-1 consequence meant Roma had a 51 per cent probability of going by way of.

“I stand by that, now we have to offer triple our potential to get by way of. We now have to be life like, the target was to succeed in the final 16 and we achieved it, so we must be completely happy simply being right here and we celebrated after the group stage with an unlimited cake.

“I’ve been in European soccer for a couple of years now, I do know the Europa League is hard. There are high groups like Porto, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lyon, so it’s an honour for Bologna to be right here.”

Bologna are out of the Coppa Italia and struggling in Serie A, so making an attempt to go so far as doable within the Europa League can also be a goal for the season.

“It is a vital recreation that may give us a lift going into the ultimate weeks of the season, however it’s not a crossroads. We all know who we’re and what we wish,” assured Italiano.

“If you face Roma right here, the ambiance is completely different. We already skilled that and know what to anticipate, together with the added enjoyment of enjoying in Europe.

“We gained’t let ourselves be intimidated, it’ll be an intense match and we’d like high quality. It’s all the time a recreation with depth if Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach.”

Italiano is raring to level out that if any Serie A aspect goes to goal for Europa League triumph, it’s most likely Roma.

“The worth of their squad is increased than ours, in each method. It’s proved by their place within the Serie A desk, by the extent of their particular person gamers, after which add within the ambiance.

“It’s a recreation the place each side want a victory, so there may be no calculations, now we have to play an open and attacking match. High quality makes the distinction.”

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