Riyadh - "Finals aren't played, they're won." Vincenzo Italiano has no doubts and is pumping up his Bologna team on the eve of the Italian Super Cup final against Napoli, scheduled for tonight at 8:00 PM.
Seven months after their Coppa Italia triumph over AC Milan, the Rossoblu are chasing their second trophy of the season, in a historic match that could shape the club's legacy.
Italiano, who has already played eight finals in his career, emphasizes the uniqueness of this moment: "Tomorrow's match will be my second against Bologna, and it's historic, because I want my Bologna to be remembered like the greats of the past." He doesn't hide his respect for his opponent: Antonio Conte is "a player from whom there's always something to learn, a winner," while Aurelio De Laurentiis deserves "great applause" for Napoli's progress.
Bologna, however, are in dire straits. Freuler and Skorupski were out injured, and Bernardeschi was also sidelined in the semifinal against Inter: the playmaker will undergo surgery on Tuesday for a fractured left collarbone. "It's a heavy loss, he was turning things around," Italiano admits. "Two collarbones in one year is an anomaly." Immobile scored his first Rossoblu goal against Inter, scoring the decisive penalty.
Tactically, left-back Bernardeschi is out: Cambiaghi (a hero against Napoli in the league with his assist for Dallinga) and Rowe are in the running, with a possible replacement for Castro. Odgaard and Orsolini are close to staying on, while Ferguson is eager to play alongside Pobega or Moro. In defense, Zortea threatens Holm on the right.
"We absolutely have to change," the coach warned. "We'll evaluate the recovery after the Inter game, I can't get the starting eleven wrong. We need a solid team, total concentration, zero errors." Captain Lorenzo De Silvestri reinforced the message: "Light but focused, with a desire to be together. We want another trophy: everyone who plays, who comes on, and who is left out must give more than their best. We're in the game and we'll go all the way."
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Comments (1)
The article talks about an important final for Bologna, but there are several injuries that could affect the outcome. Italiano seems very motivated, and the players must give their all. Let's hope it's a good match tonight.