Italiano: ‘Bologna more consistent now’ and welcome Calabria | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano feels that Bologna are ‘now more consistent both physically and tactically’ after the 2-0 win over Como, but Davide Calabria won’t be their last new signing.

The Rossoblu bowed out of the Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw away to Sporting CP and tried to rotate the squad at the Stadio Dall’Ara this evening.

Lorenzo De Silvestri had already given them the lead when Como went down to 10 men for Alieu Fadera’s red card, having insulted the referee, and Giovanni Fabbian sealed the 2-0 result.

“It was tough to find the physical and mental strength to push hard, because that’s what we needed against Como, to limit their possession, and the lads did it with furore and focus,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“We got home at 5am on Thursday, had no time to train, we only prepared for this match with one video session. We were afraid we’d have to chase them all over the pitch, but we did well to make the most of the extra man and scored the second goal at the right time too.”

Lukasz Skorupski made a flying save in stoppages to keep the clean sheet, palming away the Nico Paz free kick.

“We’ve put many results at risk in the final minutes and almost did it tonight with that free kick, but we know that is where we need to improve.”

Italiano and Bologna flying high this season

BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Bologna players celebrate victory following during the Serie A match between Bologna and Como at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on February 01, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna still have a game in hand to be played against Milan, but are now level on 37 points with Juventus, both having played 22 rounds.

“It makes me immensely happy to see these fans, they cheer every time we win back the ball and that is fuel for the players. We’ve created this wonderful bond with the supporters and they really are our 12th Man, so we’ve got to keep it going,” smiled Italiano.

“I knew that this was a squad with a good work ethic and still wanted to keep improving. You can be good for a year or two, but confirming that status is tough. It was a shaky start with a few too many draws and had not fully assimilated some of the new ideas, but now we are more consistent both physically and tactically, so the results are arriving.

“I am also very happy to see Lollo De Silvestri walking around with the Man of the Match trophy, that’s incredible!”

Calabria will have his Bologna medical tomorrow before completing the transfer from Milan, though it is only likely to be a short-term contract.

“Calabria will join a unified group that works hard. He was a symbol of Milan, I am sure he will come here with great enthusiasm and a lot of experience, despite only being 28 years old.”

Bologna are not done yet, as Italiano was asked about rumours they are targeting a winger similar to Lazio’s Loum Tchaouna.

“In theory yes, we’ve been talking about it with the club and believe that can give further quality in that zone to do even better in the second half of the season.”

The next fixture for Bologna is on Tuesday with a Coppa Italia quarter-final trip to Atalanta.