BOLOGNA, ITALY – MARCH 22: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and SS Lazio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Italiano ‘was convinced’ Bologna would keep riding the wave of Europa League momentum, so was surprised by a 2-0 home defeat to Lazio.
The team was still buzzing from the thrill of reaching the Europa League quarter-finals, needing extra time to eventually push Roma aside 4-3 on Thursday night at the Stadio Olimpico.
Inevitably, there was some fatigue from that eventful clash, although they had the opportunity to go in front when Riccardo Orsolini’s penalty was saved by Edoardo Motta.
Instead, Kenneth Taylor struck twice late on to give Lazio the 2-0 victory at the Stadio Dall’Ara.
Italiano frustrated by Bologna setback
“It’s a pity we can’t seem to have a consistent run of results, because we wanted to end the week on three big wins in a row,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.
“Up until their opening goal, we were playing really well, hitting the woodwork and missing a penalty. We’ve got to learn how to stay in the game for 90 and more minutes, but we went behind at the first mistake.
“I was convinced the victory over Roma could give us the momentum we needed, but instead we lost to a team that believed in the result more than we did on the day.”
Bologna did have to play 120 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening, so did that take a lot out of them?
“We did well for 70-odd minutes, when so many games are close together, some mental fatigue can set in. It’s disappointing, because we were in a great spell of form and wanted to go into the break for international duty feeling positive.
“Instead, we need to get right back to work and recover lost ground.”
This result means that Lazio leapfrog Bologna into eighth place in the Serie A standings, further damaging their hopes of qualifying for Europe via this route.
Orsolini’s penalty was weak and central, saved by a goalkeeper who was on only his third career Serie A appearance.
“The team has great faith in Orsolini,” assured Italiano.
“Bernardeschi had taken the most recent penalties, but we wanted to see Orso be decisive again. It’s a pity, this could’ve been a confidence booster for him, but we all applauded him when he came off, and so did the crowd.”
