Atalanta vs Bologna – Italiano underlines Bernardeschi importance & backs Rowe to ‘become a champion’

Vincenzo Italiano has spoken glowingly about Federico Bernardeschi’s resurgence at Bologna and backed young winger Rowe to reach the highest level, while insisting his side will fight until the end for a Conference League place ahead of Sunday’s trip to Atalanta.

According to his pre-match press conference at the Niccolò Galli training centre, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Italiano was candid and reflective as Bologna head into their penultimate fixture of the season with a slim chance of snatching European football.

On Bernardeschi, Italiano was effusive.

“We can say it now because the season is almost over, we won the bet,” he said.

“We were not gambling everything on a youngster nobody knew. There were doubts about getting him back in condition after years away from European football. In the end he blossomed and the player we knew returned. He is still a big kid because he still enjoys himself and gets angry when he does not play. He still has fire inside.”

Rowe drew similarly warm words, though with a clear challenge attached. “He can become a champion if only he understood that training requires the same intensity as a match,” Italiano said. “It is not that he is not training well, but he needs to make this growth step in terms of intensity to improve further.”

On Bologna’s inconsistency between home and away form, Italiano was honest. “You cannot always have an explanation,” he said.

“Perhaps too much fervour and euphoria has made us less rational in front of our own fans. Away from home we have found incredible concreteness, we defend well and often score with our first shot on target. We did not do it on purpose, and I know some grumbling has arrived for this.”

Italiano also confirmed that Skorupski will start in goal if fit, having made a promise to the goalkeeper earlier in the week. On the Conference League race, he refused to concede. “They have nothing left to ask of the season.” “We will try until the end.”

The Bologna coach also took a moment to reflect on Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final with visible emotion. “Seeing that match made me think that we were there and we rejoiced,” he said. “I am proud of having lifted that trophy and doing something incredible.”