Italiano: Bologna Struggles to Maintain Peak Performance After Champions League Effort

Bologna manager Vincenzo Italiano admitted his team cannot consistently perform at maximum intensity following their 1-1 draw away at Empoli in Serie A. The result comes just days after Bologna’s historic 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Italiano told reporters: “It’s not possible to always maintain the same level of intensity and tempo, even if that’s what we aim for. Empoli deserve credit for limiting our opportunities, especially in the first half. We managed to equalize quickly, but we weren’t as sharp or effective as in some of our other matches.”

The coach emphasized the challenge of balancing domestic league performances with European competitions: “We played just three days ago. It’s not easy to always keep the fire burning at full intensity. Our goal is to set the pace and control the initiative, but when we can’t secure maximum points, it’s crucial not to lose.”

Bologna now sits in sixth place with 34 points after 21 matches, just three points behind Juventus who have played one more game. Despite their recent Champions League success, Bologna will exit the competition after their final group stage match against Sporting CP next week.

Italiano remains focused on finding the right balance for his team as they navigate the demands of competing on multiple fronts. The draw at Empoli represents Bologna’s third stalemate in their last four Serie A fixtures, highlighting the ongoing challenge of maintaining consistent form across all competitions.