{"id":13660,"date":"2026-01-30T00:24:03","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T00:24:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/bologna-did-great-things-and-belong-in-europa-league-after-top-10-finish\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T00:24:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T00:24:03","slug":"bologna-did-great-things-and-belong-in-europa-league-after-top-10-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/bologna-did-great-things-and-belong-in-europa-league-after-top-10-finish\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Bologna did great things and belong in Europa League’ after top 10 finish"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"BOLOGNA,<\/picture><\/div>\n

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the UEFA Europa League 2025\/26 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Celtic FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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Vincenzo Italiano feels Bologna have \u2018done great things\u2019 in the Europa League so far and \u2018proved we belong in this tournament\u2019 as they prepare for the play-offs.<\/p>\n

The Rossoblu knew that their fate would ultimately depend on other results too, and for a while they were in eighth place ahead of Roma on goal difference, heading into the Round of 16.<\/p>\n

However, ultimately the 3-0 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv was enough to finish 10th<\/sup> and be top seeds in the play-offs.<\/p>\n

Jonathan Rowe, Riccardo Orsolini and late on Tommaso Pobega got the goals on neutral turf at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola.<\/p>\n

Italiano proud of Bologna showing in Europa League<\/h2>\n
\"Jonathan
Jonathan Rowe, Riccardo Orsolini and Lewis Ferguson celebrate for Bologna against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League (@bolognafc1909)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWe had a professional match, we were hungry to make the most of the few chances we had of getting into the top eight, and we did our part this evening,\u201d Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is nothing to be taken for granted in the Europa League, so finishing 10th<\/sup> ahead of some quality teams is a good result. I like this format because there are so few games, everyone goes for the win and plays open, attacking football, as they know how important every point can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bologna had lost the first match to Aston Villa, but then remained unbeaten in the Europa League.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we did really great things in this phase, as after losing the opener, we picked up 14 points in six games, proving that we belong in this tournament. Now we will prepare, see who we are up against, and are happy with our journey so far,\u201d added Italiano.<\/p>\n

The draw will be held on Friday and Bologna will be up against either SK Brann, who they already faced for a 0-0 draw when down to 10 men in the league phase, or Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs.<\/p>\n

\"RIYADH,
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA \u2013 DECEMBER 19: Referee, Daniele Chiffi speaks with Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna FC 1909 during the Supercoppa Italiana semifinal match between Bologna FC 1909 and FC Internazionale at King Saud University Stadium on December 19, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They had been stuttering in 2026, managing just one victory, three stalemates and four losses in all competition until this 3-0 win.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt had been a while since we put in such a complete performance, effective in attack, solid in defence, and I liked Lewis Ferguson in that advanced midfield position too. I think he could\u2019ve scored in the first half, we made a few too many mistakes there,\u201d continued the Bologna coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cCambiaghi provided the assist for Pobega off the bench, Bernardeschi got some playing time after a month and a half out. It was a positive day, we hope to continue like this.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel in the last five matches, we have improved a lot, even if the results didn\u2019t show it. Today we had maturity and growth, we played with the right attitude, and I hope we can start getting the results in Serie A now too. A month ago, we were in an incredible position in the table and threw it all away.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got to whittle down some of those errors, pay more attention, avoid some distractions and keep building. We have another three months in all the tournaments, there is a lot we can still do this season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Jonathan
Jonathan Rowe celebrates his goal for Bologna against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Europa League (@bolognafc1909)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rowe had struggled at the start of his Bologna experience after a traumatic exit from Olympique Marseille, but is really beginning to find form and scored this evening.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can do well on the right or left, he is starting to be more relaxed, less timid, but I feel he can be even more decisive and go for goal a lot more. He\u2019s a different player to the one who first arrived. I think he can still do so much more,\u201d concluded Italiano.<\/p>\n

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