Italiano: ‘Bologna season is over, lack of time is frustrating’

Italiano: ‘Bologna season is over, lack of time is frustrating’ Vincenzo Italiano admits Bologna’s ‘season is basically over now’ after the 2-0 defeat to Juventus , but is frustrated they ‘had no time to prepare’ after the Europa League with Aston Villa. It has been a bit of a nightmare week for the Rossoblu, who were swept aside 4-0 by Aston Villa on Thursday in the Europa League quarter-final, 7-1 on aggregate. They had the worst possible start in Turin too, going behind to a Jonathan David glancing header in the opening 90 seconds.

It was a particularly surprising development, as Bologna hadn’t conceded a Serie A goal before half-time since February against Milan. Khephren Thuram added a second, also with a header, while Emil Holm and Jonathan Rowe rattled the frame of the goal. Italiano frustrated by Bologna calendar BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 12: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, looks on 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) “The performance was because we were up against a strong team that had the chance to prepare every detail for a week,” Italiano told DAZN Italia. “It’s not an alibi, but it is a fact, that yet again we got off the plane on Friday evening and then had to travel again straight away, so we practically haven’t trained at all. It has been the situation all year.

“We conceded very early today, as we were too stretched out and didn’t have the right shape, but we adjusted a few things at half-time and suffered less. We created a few situations, but I think that early goal made it an uphill struggle. “It’s tough not being able to prepare for matches because there just isn’t time, especially against a team that had a full week to focus only on their plan.