Italiano ‘was convinced Bologna’ would build positive momentum
Italiano ‘was convinced Bologna’ would build positive momentum Vincenzo Italiano ‘was convinced’ Bologna would keep riding the wave of Europa League momentum, so was surprised by a 2-0 home defeat to Lazio. The team was still buzzing from the thrill of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, needing extra time to eventually push Roma aside 4-3 on Thursday night at the Stadio Olimpico. Inevitably, there was some fatigue from that eventful clash, although they had the opportunity to go in front when Riccardo Orsolini’s penalty was saved by Edoardo Motta.
Instead, Kenneth Taylor struck twice late on to give Lazio the 2-0 victory at the Stadio Dall’Ara. Italiano frustrated by Bologna setback BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, talks to his team from the sidelines during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) “It’s a pity we can’t seem to have a consistent run of results, because we wanted to end the week on three big wins in a row,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.
“Up until their opening goal, we were playing really well, hitting the woodwork and missing a penalty. We’ve got to learn how to stay in the game for 90 and more minutes, but we went behind at the first mistake. “I was convinced the victory over Roma could give us the momentum we needed, but instead we lost to a team that believed in the result more than we did on the day.
” Bologna did have to play 120 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, so did that take a lot out of them? “We did well for 70-odd minutes, when so many games are close together, some mental fatigue can set in. It’s disappointing, because we were in a great spell of form and wanted to go into the break for international duty feeling positive.
“Instead, we need to get right back to work and recover lost ground. ” BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, waves to the crowd prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) This result means that Lazio leapfrog Bologna into eighth place in the Serie A standings, further damaging their hopes of qualifying for Europe via this route.