Bologna dream of facing Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, says goalkeeper | OneFootball

Federico Ravaglia, the goalkeeper for Bologna, has expressed a desire shared by many at his club, from players to fans: to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

“Everyone’s dream here is to face Real Madrid, even the fans. I think we’ll all be there on the 29th for the draw, we’re happy to be in the Champions League and we know we’ve deserved it,” he told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

It must be noted that Bologna’s entry into this season’s Champions League is quite remarkable. Despite finishing fifth in Serie A, they secured a spot in the competition thanks to Italy’s strong position in the UEFA rankings.

This allowed them to take advantage of an extra place available in the expanded tournament.

For a club like Bologna, which does not have the same European pedigree as some of Italy’s top clubs, qualifying for the Champions League is already a massive achievement.

Add to it the prospect of facing Real Madrid, one of the most successful clubs in European history adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation.

A new, exciting format

Real Madrid will defend their European crown this season. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

The Champions League draw, scheduled for Thursday, August 29, has its own share of anticipation and intrigue.

This season’s draw is particularly complex due to the new format, which sees teams playing eight matches against different opponents – four at home and four away.

This expansion adds more unpredictability and excitement to the competition, as teams from various leagues will have more chances to face off against each other.

To manage this complexity, UEFA will use computers and artificial intelligence to ensure a smooth draw process. This technological assistance is necessary to avoid any mistakes or overlaps, ensuring that the draw is fair and transparent.

For Real Madrid, being a target for other clubs like Bologna is nothing new. As the most successful club in the history of the Champions League, Real Madrid represent the pinnacle of European football.

Facing teams like Bologna, who are eager to prove themselves, is part of the journey and they are accustomed to their team being the benchmark for others, and this season will be no different.