Italiano: ‘Champions League dream come true, even with Bologna eliminated’ | OneFootball

Vincenzo Italiano was emotional after a ‘dream come true’ of his first Champions League victory, as Bologna fought back to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1. ‘We are eliminated, but it feels like we won a semi-final.’

There were wild celebrations at the Stadio Dall’Ara, despite the fact that this win still does not prevent them being mathematically ruled out of the running for the play-offs.

It was their historic first ever Champions League victory and achieved against German giants Borussia Dortmund, fighting back from a soft Serhou Guirassy penalty to score twice in 60 seconds with Thijs Dalling and Samuel Iling-Junior.

“It was my first Champions League win as a coach, when as a kid I was on my sofa watching those who made the history of this competition, it’s so emotional,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are eliminated, but it feels like we won a quarter-final or a semi-final. These lads wanted this win at all costs, what they said before the game in the locker room, how much they needed to give this gift to the fans. It’s a dream come true and I am so happy, it’s beyond words.”

Italiano and Bologna giddy after unexpected victory

BOLOGNA, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, gives instructions to Emil Holm during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Bologna FC 1909 and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on January 21, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna had only scored one goal in the previous six Champions League games, so the crowd was simply happy to see the back of the net shaken, let alone enjoy an entirely unexpected success.

“The penalty at the start could compromise the entire match strategy, as they are so fast on the counter-attack and could’ve made it very different. Holm was booked, but was very good to avoid further mistakes.

“We attacked their very high line, which is what we had prepared for the second half, and the lads knew they could flood forward with this long ball to surprise them. Everyone deserves praise for their performance against a very strong opponent,” explained Italiano.

The Rossoblu scored both goals with Charalampos Lykogiannis balls over the top for Jens Odgaard, who had come on at half-time, while Riccardo Orsolini was distraught after a muscular injury.

“We saw that Borussia Dortmund often kept a high line and struggled with a ball over the top. Odgaard is much more attacking than Ferguson, so we tried to create those situations and we made the most of them.

“The lads prepared for this match with one training session and one video lecture, so the focus they put into it was extraordinary.”

Italiano inherited Bologna from Thiago Motta over the summer and took a while to get to grips with the squad, but has now after six months moulded the side to his own image and they are doing well in Serie A.

“The objective of the President is to get into Europe. He didn’t pressure us on which European competition, but he wants us to be up there. We have caught up to the others in Serie A after a difficult start, and if we continue with this application and determination, then we’ll see what happens.

“Every game is a battle and we must keep going with this mentality.”