Jonathan Rowe remains convinced that Bologna were the victims of bad luck in their initial defeat and is optimistic about his team’s prospects of capitalizing on a second opportunity at Villa Park on Thursday evening. This comes despite the significant two-goal deficit they face.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference leading up to the Europa League quarter-final second leg, the English winger was forthright about what he perceived as an injustice in the first match at the Dall’Ara.
“We were unlucky in the first game; we deserved to be leading by two goals at halftime,” Rowe stated, as quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb. “However, that’s football. We were punished, and now we must make the most of this second chance.”
Rowe acknowledged that only their most exceptional performance of the season will suffice to turn the tie around against an Aston Villa side that has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the competition.
When questioned about which Aston Villa player he would most like to neutralize, the Bologna forward offered a diplomatic evasion.
“I know several of them,” he said with a smile. “But I’m unsure who will start, so I can’t make a choice. They are a strong team irrespective of who is on the pitch. We will give our absolute best, and they will too. Let’s see how it unfolds.”
This presents a formidable challenge for Italiano’s squad, but Rowe’s sentiments suggest a team that has not relinquished hope of orchestrating one of European football’s most memorable comebacks.
Aston Villa vs Bologna: Rowe: ‘We will give our all’
Jonathan Rowe has asserted that Bologna were unfortunate in the first leg and expressed confidence in his team’s ability to seize a second opportunity at Villa Park on Thursday evening, despite the substantial two-goal deficit they need to overcome.
The English winger, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg, candidly discussed the perceived injustice during the first encounter at the Dall’Ara.
“We were unlucky in the first game; we deserved to be two goals ahead at halftime,” he remarked, with quotes sourced via TuttoMercatoWeb. “But that’s football. We were penalized, and now we have to make the most of this second chance.”
Rowe recognized that nothing less than their season’s best performance will be sufficient to salvage the tie against a Villa side that has been one of the most consistent teams in the competition.
When asked to identify the Aston Villa player he would most wish to remove from contention, the Bologna forward responded evasively with a smile.
“I know several of them,” he stated. “But I don’t know who will start, so I can’t pick one. They are a strong team regardless of who plays. We will give our all, and so will they. Let’s see what happens.”
It is a monumental task for Italiano’s team, but Rowe’s words indicate a group that has not abandoned the possibility of one of European football’s greatest turnarounds.
