BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 6: Bologna FC coach Vincenzo Italiano during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Bologna FC 1909 and SK Blanc at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on November 6, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabatini/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Italiano returned to the Bologna bench, but sent his assistant manager to explain the disappointing draw with SK Brann, who were reduced to 10 men. “We deserved to win.”
Either way, it was a special occasion as Italiano returned to the touchline for the first time in three weeks after being hospitalized for treatment for pneumonia.
They were warm on the bench, but things got even hotter, especially after Sharalampos Likogiannis received a controversial straight red card, which reduced Bologna to 10 men in the 23rd minute.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, they took control in the second half and created many scoring opportunities, but were frustrated by a goalless draw with Norway’s SK Brann.
Bologna gave their best in difficult circumstances
Italiano sent his assistant manager Daniel Niccolini to Sky Sports Italia to speak after the final whistle.
“I saw a great reaction from the whole team. We were solid and defended hard the chances that Bran created. It’s a shame that we had a chance to win in the last moment,” said Niccolini.
“It was a great team performance and we deserved the win today.”
Following Rico Giannis’ red card, Bologna brought on Juan Miranda in place of Giovanni Fabian, but it was difficult to say that the squad was down to 10 players.
“We chose to move to a 4-2-3 to stay aggressive and not drop too deep. I told the players at half-time to play with quality, grit and determination, aiming to win the game, and we almost managed to do that too.”
Rico Giannis was the first to get the ball and Emil Kornig cut in in front of him, causing his boot to slide up his ankle and catch him much higher than he intended, but when seen in slow motion, things look much worse.
“From the touchline it looked like he won the ball first and that momentum kept him going. In Italy we might have gone back and checked again, but there was no call from VAR. We were down to 10 men for over 70 minutes. It was tough,” said the assistant manager.
“We put in so many crosses and corners and pushed so hard, and I don’t remember Łukasz Skorupski making particularly tough saves.”
According to UEFA statistics, the hosts had 54% possession and made 16 total attempts, compared to Blanc’s eight.
With this result, Bologna have five points from four games and are now in 24th place, one point above the Europa League elimination positions.
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