As Bologna FC prepares to face Freiburg in a crucial UEFA Europa League fixture, head coach Vincenzo Italiano steps into the spotlight, not just to discuss tactics, but to temper rising expectations and chart a course for a team in evolution. His message is clear: growth demands patience, and a grand European journey is built one deliberate step at a time.
Navigating the Tides of Expectation
The murmurs from the Rossoblù faithful are growing louder, a testament to Bologna`s recent successes and the tantalizing prospect of European football. However, Italiano, ever the pragmatist, acknowledges these sentiments while firmly grounding them in reality. «On us, expectations are too high,» he stated, a candid admission that underlines the delicate balance between ambition and the ongoing process of team building.
Bologna, he asserts, must «grow and improve under every point of view.» This isn`t merely coach-speak; it`s a recognition that while the team has enhanced its possession game and increased goal attempts, there`s still a noticeable vulnerability at the back. The unforgiving nature of European competition offers little quarter for such imperfections.
The Unspoken Cost of Evolution: Replacing Key Pillars
Modern football often dictates that success comes with a price, usually in the form of key players moving on to perceived greener pastures. For Bologna, the departures of Dan Ndoye and Sam Beukema have left palpable voids. Italiano doesn`t shy away from this challenge, emphasizing that extracting «two important players from an organized setup» is no minor event. Ndoye, in particular, was highlighted for his dedication – a player who famously stayed after training to perfect his shooting, a drive that transformed him into a difference-maker.
This loss of established «alchemy and equilibrium» means the current squad, despite a solid «base,» is essentially in a new phase of integration. It`s a task that requires more than just training drills; it demands a mental recalibration and a renewed collective effort from everyone.
The Crucible of New Talent: Patience as a Virtue
With departures come new arrivals, and the spotlight inevitably falls on those tasked with filling significant boots. Young talents like Rowe, Heggem, and Vitik, alongside seasoned players like Bernardeschi and Ciro (possibly an internal reference or a new signing yet to fully establish himself), are all part of Bologna`s refreshed roster. Italiano champions a philosophy of patience, especially for players like Rowe, whose debut at Lecce was perhaps unfairly scrutinized.
«Everything and immediately cannot be had,» Italiano remarked, cutting through the instant gratification culture. «For me, in a few weeks, he will score goals, lose fewer balls, reduce errors, and raise his quality. Only patience is needed.»
This isn`t just about technical ability; it`s about acclimatization – to a new league, new teammates, and a new tactical system. The «hunger» that propelled former players like Ndoye and Vlahović to individual excellence is what Italiano now seeks to ignite in his current crop of attackers, urging them to become «additional attackers» rather than mere wingers.
The Immediate Fixes and the Long Road Ahead
While the long-term vision involves nurturing new talent and refining overall team play, Italiano isn`t neglecting the immediate requirements of European football. With limited training sessions between matches, the focus is sharp: «We must recall those situations where we are not 100%, like set pieces and the defensive phase in the last 20 meters.»
Small, consistent adjustments – «a pill of this and a pill of that» – are the strategy for improving preventive closures and individual duels. This pragmatic approach underscores the coach`s determination to incrementally build a more robust and resilient Bologna.
Comparing the current challenges to those faced last season after the departure of five key starters, Italiano maintains a quiet confidence. The team has navigated similar storms before, learning «through errors, remaining head down and pedaling.» The path ahead promises to be arduous, marked by tough opponents like Freiburg, but for Vincenzo Italiano, it`s a journey of continuous improvement, where patience is the ultimate strategist and collective effort the most potent weapon.