Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna’s manager, approached the pre-match press conference for their Europa League quarter-final second leg against Aston Villa with his characteristic humor. He jokingly suggested flying in Tom Cruise to assist with what he deemed a nearly impossible mission. However, behind the jest, Italiano presented a clear and serious tactical strategy aimed at giving Bologna a genuine chance to achieve one of European football’s more significant comebacks.
The Italian side trails 3-1 from the first leg, and Italiano acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge ahead.
“I’ll drop the percentages this time,” he stated, referencing his earlier 50-50 prediction before the first leg. “This is a mission that is almost impossible. I had asked the club to bring in Tom Cruise; he could give us a hand.”
The laughter quickly faded as Italiano shifted to the serious business of how Bologna could disrupt an Aston Villa team likely to manage the game at home.
“We ruined the first leg with some lapses of concentration within what was otherwise a very high-level performance,” he commented.
“Tomorrow, we must make life difficult for them, not let them have a quiet evening. It would be important not to concede. And then we have to try to hurt them: they do give something away, as we saw in both previous matches here.”
Regarding Unai Emery’s attacking philosophy, Italiano offered a lighthearted remark. “Emery’s mantra is attack, attack, attack. Mine, by contrast, is defence, defence, defence,” he said with a smile.
He was more measured when discussing his genuine expectations of Villa’s approach. “I would be surprised if they came at us aggressively given their two-goal lead. But I don’t know how they will approach it; what I do know is that the atmosphere pushes them and raises their level. We must find a way to respond.”
Italiano confirmed that Federico Ravaglia will be in goal, starting the match.
With Lucumí also unavailable, Bologna has Casale, Heggem, and Vitik as options in central defense. Italiano was intentionally vague about his selection, stating, “One of the three will be on the bench.”
His message to the squad was direct: “I told them to remember the matches we have played here before. We need to dig deep for a truly top-level performance and make our opponents work extremely hard. These games always throw up surprises, and that is our only hope.”
