Di Vaio: ‘Bologna risk with Italiano paid off, we can build with him’ | OneFootball

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio explains how they knew Vincenzo Italiano would take them to the next level and advises him to reject other jobs. ‘We took risks and they paid off.’

The clash with Juventus kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

When teams are level on points in Serie A, their position is decided first by head-to-head record, then on goal difference.

That makes this showdown even more important, as Juve leapfrogged Bologna into fourth place last week.

Bologna saw Italiano’s level in Champions League

Bologna’s coach Vincenzo Italiano celebrates winning the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Bologna FC and Borussia Dortmund at Renato Dall’Ara stadium in Bologna, Italy, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI

They had already over-achieved last season under Thiago Motta, but are if anything doing even better this term, reaching their first Coppa Italia Final in 51 years and playing in the Champions League. At what stage did Bologna realise Italiano was right for them?

“It was during the Champions League,” Di Vaio told DAZN.

“We had been struggling a little in Serie A, whereas we made real progress in Europe, despite the elimination. We just needed a little more time to get to understand this new style of play, which is a more European approach and therefore struggled in the more tactical Serie A.

“For example, after the match against Liverpool, we really became aware of our strengths. We took risks and they paid off.”

Bologna hope to keep hold of Italiano

BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 20: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, gestures as he gives the team instructions during the Serie A match between Bologna and FC Internazionale at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 20, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

This kind of form, as well as reaching two Conference League Finals and a Coppa Italia Final at Fiorentina, has seen Italiano linked with big jobs for Milan, Atalanta and Roma.

“I would advise him to continue his journey with us, as we are very happy with his work and the person that he is,” replied Di Vaio.

“Vincenzo is a man with real values and we hope to keep building on the foundations we put in place with him.”

The Rossoblu are unable to field their best XI, as Dan Ndoye, Emil Holm and Estanis Pedrola are out of action, while Santiago Castro is again not fit enough to start after that foot injury on international duty with Argentina.

Lorenzo De Silvestri is a surprise pick in defence, with Nicoló Cambiaghi preferred to Benjamin Dominguez in attack.

“We knew Dallinga would take a while to adapt to Serie A, but his performances have been very positive. He is a fox in the box, whereas with us he has to protect the ball and get more involved in the build-up, so he wasn’t used to that,” concluded Di Vaio.