The Bologna Revival: The Unexpected Underdog Strikes Again!
On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Bologna dismantled Lazio with an impressive 5-0 victory in the Serie A, marking their fourth consecutive win and propelling them to fourth place in the league. This puts them in contention for a spot in next season's Champions League, the premier European club tournament, reserved for the top four teams. The feat is remarkable, considering Bologna’s solitary Champions League appearance was back in 1964—the days long before it took on its current format. They returned to the fold this season on the back of an exceptional last campaign under coach Thiago Motta, a tale many thought could not be repeated. Enter Vincenzo Italiano, the man tasked with building on that legacy, even after losing key players such as Riccardo Calafiori, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Joshua Zirkzee during the summer. Italiano has slowly but surely crafted a squad that, at times, appears even more vibrant than Motta’s, combining intensity and flair that has ignited a fervour among the fans. At the same point last season, Bologna held the same fourth position but with a mere point more. This year, they've jousted through the Champions League group stages, finishing with a win, three draws, and four defeats, while also securing a semi-final berth in the Coppa Italia—awaiting a clash with Empoli, currently sitting third from bottom. The highlights of their triumph over Lazio showcased Bologna's strengths: an adeptness in ball management with precise passing and movement, coupled with relentless pressing that forced the visitors to yield their positions. Italiano has kept Motta's possession-based approach—Bologna retaining 58% of the ball, the third-highest in Serie A—while introducing principles of his own, such as widening the play and an aggressive off-the-ball style. On Sunday, Lazio, fatigued from their Europa League battle, struggled to cope with Bologna's pace and energy. Amidst this tactical evolution, Italiano has nurtured the talents of several players, many spotted thanks to sporting director Giovanni Sartori’s sharp eye, renowned for his previous success at Atalanta. Rising stars like 21-year-old Benjamín Domínguez and 20-year-old Santiago Castro have recently earned caps for the World Cup-winning Argentine side, while the 25-year-old Jens Odgaard has found his footing, netting six league goals. Meanwhile, Spanish full-back Juan Miranda dazzled with a pair of assists against Lazio. Swiss winger Dan Ndoye, pivotal this season, has transformed from scoring just once last year to hitting the net seven times thus far. Italiano has melded the squad into a cohesive unit; five different players found the net against Lazio, signalling a strong bond among coach, players, and the club’s passionate supporters. The jubilant Bologna team celebrated under the stands, a picture of camaraderie following their resounding victory. However, as for their Champions League ambitions, the road ahead remains uncertain, with fierce competition from numerous teams. Bologna faces formidable opponents like Napoli, Atalanta, and Inter in April, followed by Juventus, Milan, and Fiorentina in May—matches that will likely dictate their fate. Yet, the season’s end is brimming with hope, as they eye not only Champions League qualification but also the Coppa Italia trophy. Excluding the long-forgotten Intertoto Cup of 1998, Bologna has not lifted silverware since the 1974 Coppa Italia. Vincenzo Italiano, despite past near-misses in finals with Fiorentina, has swiftly earned recognition as one of the league’s finest tacticians. Taking over a side fresh off their best season in sixty years, he has demonstrated an admirable capacity to rise to the challenge and manage the accompanying pressures with poise and determination. - Resource: "https://www.ilpost.it/2025/03/17/bologna-lazio-5-0-italiano-2024-2025/
