{"id":3860,"date":"2024-11-04T15:25:45","date_gmt":"2024-11-04T15:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/italiano-bologna-werent-used-to-liverpool-and-aston-villa-level\/"},"modified":"2024-11-04T15:25:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-04T15:25:46","slug":"italiano-bologna-werent-used-to-liverpool-and-aston-villa-level","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betwealthsuretips.com\/blog\/italiano-bologna-werent-used-to-liverpool-and-aston-villa-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Italiano: Bologna ‘weren’t used’ to Liverpool and Aston Villa level"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"epa11645546<\/picture><\/div>\n

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano EPA-EFE\/SERENA CAMPANINI<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano believes his side needs \u2018something more\u2019 to win their first Champions League game against Monaco on Tuesday, as they are urged to \u2018raise the bar\u2019 after two consecutive European defeats.<\/p>\n

The Rossoblu are coming off two away trips to England that saw them suffer as many losses to Liverpool and Aston Villa, but Italiano dismissed the view that the clash against the Ligue 1 will be \u2018softer\u2019 than their previous fixtures, also admitting that Bologna weren\u2019t \u2018used\u2019 to play at Champions League level.<\/p>\n

Scotland international Lewis Ferguson came on in the closing minutes of Bologna\u2019s 1-0 win over Lecce in Serie A last weekend as he returned from injury after six months, and the Bologna manager said he aims at bringing him back \u2018at his best\u2019 soon.<\/p>\n

Italiano: Monaco not \u2018softer\u2019 than Liverpool, Ferguson \u2018important\u2019 for Bologna<\/h2>\n

\u201cMonaco a softer game? That\u2019s not something I\u2019ve ever thought,\u201d Italiano said at a press-conference ahead of Tuesday\u2019s game in the Champions League, as quoted by TMW.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that now we need to focus on the performance to get the result, especially in front of our home crowd. We did well here against Shakhtar, as well as against Liverpool and Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut now, we need something more, and tomorrow we need to aim for that. Whether it turns out to be \u2018softer\u2019 or not, we\u2019ll find out at the end. Right now, Monaco are doing very well; they\u2019re a confident team, and tomorrow we need to raise the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"BOLOGNA,
Vincenzo Italiano Bologna (Photo by Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Monaco lost two consecutive games in Ligue 1 but Italiano prefers to focus on Bologna\u2019s positive moment, as they are on the back of two Serie A wins in a row.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how our opponents react to setbacks, but I do know how we feel about coming into this game after two wins,\u201d the coach added.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus, we\u2019re playing at home, and I must say that I see a fantastic atmosphere here at the stadium: I\u2019m sure our fans will support us to the end because we need everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

After making his return against Lecce, Lewis Ferguson is \u2018gradually\u2019 improving his condition.<\/p>\n

\u201cFerguson is doing well,\u201d Italiano observed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s starting to increase his workload because he wants to get into peak condition. The game against Lecce allowed me to put him on because there was low density in that area when he came on.<\/p>\n

\u201cGradually, we\u2019ll start increasing his involvement because he\u2019s an important player for us, and we want him at his best soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bologna are 29th in the Champions League standings after three games and they need to climb at least to 24th if they want to secure a spot in the play-offs, but Italiano doesn\u2019t want it to turn into an \u2018obsession\u2019.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s something we\u2019ll try to achieve without the obsession of performing above our level,\u201d the Italian tactician said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI came from the Conference League, and I\u2019ve seen very strong teams in Europe, but what I\u2019m seeing in the Champions League, especially in the last two games, is something we\u2019re not used to.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to try to reach the top 24; if we make it, it will mean we\u2019ve done a great job. However, the Champions League for us should be about growth, and our focus is on playing well, not on the standings.\u201d<\/p>\n