Italiano injury update for Bologna and wants FA Cup style Coppa Italia | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano gives an injury update on Riccardo Orsolini after Bologna crushed Monza 4-0 in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, but wants to see an FA Cup-style format change.

The Rossoblu made short work of Monza at the Stadio Dall’Ara, sweeping them aside 4-0 thanks to goals from Tommaso Pobega, Riccardo Orsolini, Benjamin Dominguez and Santiago Castro.

“What I want to underline is how seriously we took our approach to this game from the very start,” said Italiano in his press conference.

“All the lads were fully focused and proved we really wanted to progress in this tournament.”

Pobega needed this confidence-booster, having been sent off in the costly defeat to Lazio in Serie A.

The bad news is that Orsolini injured himself during the move to score for 2-0, immediately limping off the field.

“Orsolini already felt a twinge around some old scar tissue and we hope that is all it was. Lewis Ferguson still needs time to get back to 100 per cent after such a long time out, while Thijs Dallinga felt a twinge in his calf yesterday and still didn’t feel right this morning, so we chose not to risk him.”

The Rossoblu will face either Atalanta or Cesena in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia.

Italiano enjoying Bologna options

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 03: Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates with teammate Benjamin Dominguez after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Coppa Italia match between Bologna FC and AC Monza at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

This is an unusual campaign for Bologna, who had not qualified for European football for decades, yet find themselves competing in the new and expanded Champions League.

“I am glad to have the difficult choices between all these players, who are giving a good response when called upon,” said Italiano.

“We need to keep this enthusiasm going to also raise the intensity level in training.”

The Coppa Italia has scrapped extra time this season, but the Bologna coach wants to see even more changes to the format.

“I like the English FA Cup approach, where the big clubs visit the small ones. I am convinced that would bring more people to the stadiums, because it’s a pity to be playing in an almost empty arena,” added Italiano.

“I experienced a Coppa Italia Final with Fiorentina and will try to do the same with Bologna, even if it’s tough. The lads know we want to go as far as possible.”

The current approach has the big clubs given an advantage of playing on home turf, while the top eight from the previous Serie A season don’t even start participating until the Round of 16.

Their next Serie A match this weekend is away to Juventus, where Bologna players are facing their former coach Thiago Motta.

“It is an important game against a strong team that has reinforced a great deal over the summer,” concluded Italiano.

“Tomorrow we will rest, then from Thursday we’ll start preparing above all mentally for this test. We need to raise the bar against the big clubs and I know this fixture means a lot to the fans.”