Vincenzo Italiano insists ‘it is an honour for Bologna to be’ in the Europa League last 16 and warns ‘the value of the Roma squad is higher in every way.’
It is all to play for after the first leg ended 1-1, and is decided at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
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This stadium has fond memories for the Rossoblu, as they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia Final here, their first piece of silverware in over 50 years.
Italiano notes Bologna progress
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“That match is what allowed us to be here, and it is an indelible memory for all of us,” said Italiano in his press conference.
“We are here, we’ve honoured this competition with many strong performances and deservedly getting through the play-offs.
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“It was our objective to reach this stage and now we are here against a strong opponent, in a passionate atmosphere. We will try to have our say and do everything we can to cause them problems.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Players of Bologna acknowledge the fans following 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)
Italiano had said after the first leg that the 1-1 result meant Roma had a 51 per cent chance of going through.
“I stand by that, we have to give triple our potential to get through. We have to be realistic, the objective was to reach the last 16 and we achieved it, so we should be happy just being here and we celebrated after the group stage with an enormous cake.
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“I’ve been in European football for a few years now, I know the Europa League is tough. There are top teams like Porto, Aston Villa, Stuttgart, Lyon, so it’s an honour for Bologna to be here.”
Bologna are out of the Coppa Italia and struggling in Serie A, so trying to go as far as possible in the Europa League is also a target for the season.
“It is an important game that can give us a boost going into the final weeks of the season, but it is not a crossroads. We know who we are and what we want,” assured Italiano.
“When you face Roma here, the atmosphere is different. We already experienced that and know what to expect, along with the added enjoyment of playing in Europe.
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“We won’t let ourselves be intimidated, it is going to be an intense match and we need quality. It’s always a game with intensity if Gian Piero Gasperini is the coach.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, embraces Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, prior to 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)
Italiano is eager to point out that if any Serie A side is going to aim for Europa League triumph, it is probably Roma.
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“The value of their squad is higher than ours, in every way. It is proved by their position in the Serie A table, by the level of their individual players, and then add in the atmosphere.
“It’s a game where both sides need a victory, so there can be no calculations, we have to play an open and attacking match. Quality makes the difference.”
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