"They Deserve Credit For Forcing Us Out Of Shape And Forcing Those Errors”

Written By Onyeka Daniel

It may have ended in a draw for Bologna against Napoli, one of the contenders for the Serie A title this season, but it could have ended differently for the Rossoblu, who absolutely dominated the Partenopei, especially in the second half and got rewarded with a goal in the 64th minute to continue their push for a top four finish.

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Hence, for their manager, Vincenzo Italiano, who got his coach of the month award for the month of March, he felt that his team dominated the second half, but will take the point and performance. It was a game of two halves at the Stadio Dall’Ara, because while the Partenopei had the best of the early play.

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Then they took the lead through an Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa solo run from midfield, but the hosts dominated after the restart. Dan Ndoye equalised with a spectacular back-heel flick off the underside of the crossbar and they pinned Napoli back into their own half, but were unable to make the pressure count.

“The last chance with Castro was really frustrating, because that was a move worth three points, we should’ve finished it off,” Italiano told DAZN in his post-match interview. “It would’ve been the right reward for a great second half performance. If Castro had reacted a bit quicker, he could’ve scored.”

“Napoli were better in the first half, we pinned them back into their own area for the second. We’ll take the point and that fantastic performance from the lads.” A win would’ve allowed them to leapfrog Atalanta into 3rd place, but instead they remain 4th, with just one point difference.

This result ended a run of six consecutive victories in all competition. “A draw against one of the best teams in Serie A is still very good, a team where you can risk on the counter-attack, but at the end of the day we keep the run of positive results going, but also build on the quality of our performances,” added Italiano.

“I told the lads in the dressing room this must be the attitude and mentality we have in these final rounds of the season. We know that it’s a difficult fixture list against the top clubs, but we showed such a strong reaction to going behind against a Napoli side that will fight to the end for the Scudetto.”

“That bodes well and we must keep that mentality in the final games, trying to make more of the momentum when we start to really control matches. Miranda and Holm put a lot of balls into the box tonight, and I think we could’ve made more of those chances.” They’re not only flying high in Serie A, but also on the verge of the Coppa Italia Final.

They beat Empoli 3-0 away from home in the first leg of the semi-final. “When you call, everyone gives their heart and soul, even if it’s just for five minutes. When everyone gives their contribution like that, it’s natural that strength in depth becomes important. Everyone will be involved in these final few weeks, it will be a fundamental time for the club,” explained the coach.

“We’re in the Coppa Italia semi-final, in Serie A, so it has to be all for one, and one for all. That was the message our fans passed on to us.” The crowd was again fired up at the Stadio Dall’Ara, as after last season they took fifth place under Thiago Motta, they seem to be just getting stronger now Italiano has taken charge.

“Our fans have been fantastic in recent years and I must be honest, the atmosphere is extraordinary. The lads feel that affection and positive energy from the stands, so it is only right to thank them with these performances. “We must try to prove that we push hard and will always sweat for the shirt. The fans really are our 12th Man,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, for Antonio Conte’s assistant manager, Cristian Stellini, he admitted that they lacked something in the second half. It was a difficult build-up to the match because Conte sat out a touchline ban, then Alex Meret pulled out with flu symptoms and Alessandro Buongiorno had muscular issues.

Hence, there were some last-minute changes to the starting line-up. “It was a very good first half, we had prepared an aggressive approach with a lot of movement and intensity, which we did very well,” Stellini told DAZN. “After the break, we certainly lacked something, perhaps we focused more on defending than attacking.”

“So, when you lose the momentum in this atmosphere against a team in Bologna’s form, it is a struggle to get that back. We were no longer able to play, we are a team who has to raise the tempo and press high. If we don’t do that, we cannot make an impact on the match. We must improve in terms of mentality and the desire to play the ball.”

“Bologna pressed hard and we didn’t move with the same quality as in the first half. We lost our shape, the passes for Romelu Lukaku were much longer than in the first half and were therefore easier to defend against. Bologna deserve credit for forcing us out of shape and forcing those errors.”

Scott McTominay also hobbled off with a knock, making way for Billy Gilmour, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo was booked and will be suspended against Empoli. “McTominay had a bruise to his thigh and hip, so he was struggling to run and felt pain. Buongiorno was warming up because if we needed him, we had to be sure he was able to play.”

“We hope his muscular issue can be resolved for the next game, but we had to keep him warm today just in case,” he further explained. A win here would’ve closed the gap at the top to one point after Inter fumbled a 2-0 lead for their 2-2 draw with Parma, but instead it remains intact at three points.

At the same time, a victory was a big task considering that Bologna were coming into this game off six consecutive victories between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, with the chance to leapfrog Atalanta into third place. “We want to fight for something important, but must also be aware that we started the season aiming to finish in the top four.”

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“So, today’s point is important to keep that objective going of the top four,” concluded Stellini. “If we keep improving in our mentality, learn to keep the same intensity, quality and tempo in the second half of our games too, then we can keep dreaming.” He further added and Conte should be back for their next game after serving his suspension.

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