Bologna boss Vincenzo Italiano has challenged his squad to raise their competitive edge ahead of their clash with Celtic, cautioning that there will be little margin for error against the Hoops…
After closely studying the Scottish champions in the build-up to tonight’s meeting at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Italiano highlighted the tactical nous of Martin O’Neill as a key factor that could test his side’s discipline and focus.
Italiano was questioned about his team’s mentality and ambition as Bologna continue their push for a deep run in the Europa League.
While domestic form has dipped, with the Rossoblu managing only a single victory across their previous eight outings in Serie A, their continental campaign has told a very different story, leaving them firmly in contention for a top-eight finish with two games remaining.
Speaking via Daily Record, Italiano said: “Celtic is a tough team. They are not going through their best moment this season but we have studied them and they can be very dangerous.
“We know they defeated Feyenoord and if we don’t pay attention they can cause us a lot of problems. We studied some of their games now Martin O’Neill is back. They play with a similar system to Fiorentina, with a 4-3-3 and midfielders who attack the space. They are very fast so we are not going in unprepared.”
Italiano added: “We have to focus only on the game and own this competition without any other aspects that could impact our performance. Ideally we should have more points to target the top eight but our situation.
“We have to be as good as we were in the last European games – especially the last one. The eyes are always the same, perhaps tomorrow even more. If we get the three points we can potentially do something big this season.
“In the last game here in Europe [in the 4-1 win against RB Salzburg]it was one of the best moments of the season. We were solid up front and at the back, we didn’t concede.”
“Thus last spell hasn’t been positive but total concentration is on tomorrow. We know can go far in this competition whether it’s in the top eight or the playoffs. But with the crowd we want the stadium to be back to being a stronghold.”
Conor Spence
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