Italiano sees Bologna breakthrough after 2-0 victory | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano believes Bologna have finally shaken off their rough start to the campaign and can start to build momentum against Lecce. ‘We need the same determination and attitude.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Saturday at 14.00 GMT.

The Rossoblu have a game in hand, as their home fixture with Milan was called off due to severe weather warnings, but have still stuttered throughout the season.

A midweek 2-0 away to Cagliari was only their second victory in all competition, secured by Riccardo Orsolini and Jens Odgaard goals.

“Now what we must do after that performance in Cagliari is to build on it, especially as we started to let our foot off the gas in the second half there too,” said Italiano in his press conference.

“I hope that the lads will take to the field with the same determination and attitude tomorrow. Looking back over our performances, they had a lot of scoring opportunities and we ran very few risks, but perhaps were lacking a little luck.

“I sense enthusiasm in the city still, there will be over 25,000 people tomorrow and it is also up to us to fuel that passion with results.”

Italiano hoping for Bologna boost

epa11676176 Bologna fans hold their team’s scarfs during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909, in Birmingham, Britain, 22 October 2024. EPA-EFE/ADAM VAUGHAN

Lewis Ferguson had been due to sit on the bench against Cagliari for the first time since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee six months ago, but was ruled out by flu symptoms.

Meanwhile, Charalampos Lykogiannis is out of action after bruising his calf in the Champions League defeat to Aston Villa.

“Lecce are a strong side who always manage to stay afloat and have a lot of pace in the team that we need to be wary of, especially as we tend to make a lot of avoidable errors in the opposition half.”

It has been a strange season for Bologna so far, as they only lost once in Serie A, falling 3-0 away to Napoli on August 25, but drew six fixtures.

Meanwhile, they have one point and zero goals scored in three Champions League fixtures, where they will host AS Monaco on Tuesday.