Italiano: ‘Bologna going three against three in Roma midfield’
Vincenzo Italiano explains his tactical choices for Bologna in the Europa League Round of 16 with Roma. ‘We are going three against three in their midfield.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).
The second leg is at the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday, as it means there will be just one Italian entry into the Europa League quarter-finals.
Although UEFA have them set out as a 4-2-3-1 formation, it would seem to be more of a 4-3-3.
Italiano outlines Bologna choices
“We didn’t change in the last Serie A match either, because Odgaard is starting to learn a different approach in the middle, but this system gives us guarantees, so we are going three against three in their midfield,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.
“Even though Roma are without Manu Koné, they still have dynamism and quality in the middle. With Tommaso Pobega and Lewis Ferguson, we can have our say too.”
Juan Miranda, Torbjorn Heggem and Charalampos Lykogiannis are not at 100 per cent, but there is no rest for Santiago Castro, who starts his eighth match in a row.
“Thijs Dallinga is not at 100 per cent, I talked to him today and told him he hasn’t played for a while, so against a tough opponent like Evan Ndicka and such an important match, it is better than Santi keeps his strong form going.
“I preferred Castro, but there are still 10 Serie A games to go and I hope more in Europe too, there will be room for Dallinga.”
Unlike Roma, the Rossoblu had to go through the play-offs to reach this phase, eliminating SK Brann with victories home and away.
That was part of a positive run of five straight wins, ended surprisingly at the weekend by a 2-1 home defeat to Hellas Verona in Serie A.
“We have players who can take men on, cut inside and shoot, so when those wingers light up, they can change the course of a game. We have many wide players with these characteristics, including those who can come off the bench, and we hope they can make their mark tonight,” concluded Italiano.