Italiano: Bologna have a ‘51% chance’ of qualifying against Brann in Europa League

Vincenzo Italiano insists that Bologna’s 1-0 advantage does not count for much at the midway stage of their Europa League play-off round tie against Norwegian side Brann: “I would say maybe we have a 51% chance of qualifying and them 49%.”

The Rossoblu will host Brann at the Dall’Ara for the second leg of their Europa League play-off round tie on Thursday evening. Italiano’s side have a slim, one-goal advantage thanks to a ninth minute goal from Santiago Castro in Bergen last week. 

Italiano previews Bologna vs. Brann second leg

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Italiano warned that there is still plenty of work for Bologna to do in the second leg of their Europa League play-off decider. 

The challenge of facing a Norwegian side following Inter’s Champions League elimination at the hands of Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday night has also become a hot topic of discussion in the Bologna camp. 

When asked what he learned from Inter’s 5-2 aggregate loss against Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League, Italiano said: “That Norwegian football is growing rapidly and this is also shown by the growth of their national team. We’re ahead by one goal and I would therefore say maybe we have a 51% chance of qualifying and them 49%.

“We can’t underestimate anything and we have to take advantage of playing in our stadium, the atmosphere and this small advantage we got in Norway. Brann are a tactical, organised team and we need to face them with a lot of focus.” 

And when asked what he expects to see from Brann on Thursday evening, Italiano said: “I expect to face a team that will want to be daring and will try to raise the tempo to create problems for us. We have to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise. They know what they have to do with the ball and without it, we are prepared.” 

And on his own players, he added: “Heggem is called up. If necessary, he can come on but we hope he won’t be needed. Lykogiannis is stepping up his work and will be back soon. We lost Miranda in the final minutes against Udiense. We’re used to gritting our teeth. Tomorrow either Zortea or Joao Mario will play on the left.” 

And asked for an evaluation on Eivind Helland, who is not part of Bologna’s Europa League squad and is therefore ineligible to play tomorrow, Italiano said: “We will make use of him in the league. He’s an asset to Bologna. I’m sorry I don’t have him available in Europe, but that was the decision.” 

And on Federico Bernardeschi, Italiano said: “There’s still a room for him to return to a high level. He was showing himself constantly before the injury. He’s an animal. The injury slowed him down but now he’s returning to the version of himself we saw before the injury against Inter in the Supercoppa Italiana. 

“He has a lot of experience, he’s played in Europe, he won a European championship. The only thing we had to do with him is get him back in a good, athletic, physical condition. I think he can still grow in the next two and a half months.”