The Cult of Calcio
·12 Desember 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsThe Cult of Calcio
·12 Desember 2024
Benfica and Bologna shared the spoils in an uneventful 0-0 draw at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday evening. Another winless UEFA Champions League outing probably ended the Italian team’s hopes of securing springtime European fixtures.
However, Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano is adamant his side implemented his ideas on the pitch, hailing their performance in Lisbon.
“I am happy with what the lads did tonight,” the Bologna boss told Sky Sport after the game, as reported by TWM. “It was difficult, arriving here in our current form against a team that regularly wins and scores lots of goals. We deserve credit for causing them so many problems.
“We actually hoped for more than a point, but the performance – especially in the first half – was of a high level. They raised the tempo after the break and were more aggressive,” Italiano continued.
“But we still got a handle on them and could’ve done more in our attacking situations with two on two and three on three.“
Despite failing to score for the fifth time in six Champions League games, Bologna fared well, insists Italiano.
“We had several situations where we got the finish or the last pass wrong. We created chances, caused huge problems for a great side like Benfica. It really was not easy here and the lads are very happy, also as they prepare for the next games.
“I am very happy too, as I saw a response from many lads, we now have a clear identity and our approach does not change even when we rotate the squad. I saw what I wanted to see tonight,” the Bologna boss concluded.