BOLOGNA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 06: Vincenzo Italiano, the head coach of Bologna FC, during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match against SK Brann at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on November 06, 2025. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Vincenzo Italiano returned to the Bologna bench, sending his assistant manager to comment on a frustrating goalless draw with SK Brann while a man down. “We deserved the victory,” he remarked.
This match marked Italiano’s first return to coaching duties in three weeks after being hospitalized for pneumonia.
Bundled up on the bench, he became increasingly animated, especially after Charalampos Lykogiannis received a controversial red card, reducing Bologna to ten men in the 23rd minute.
Undeterred, Bologna dominated the second half and created several scoring chances, only to be thwarted by a goalless draw against SK Brann.
Bologna’s Resilience Under Pressure
Following the match, Italiano’s assistant, Daniel Niccolini, addressed Sky Sport Italia.
“The team showed great character. We defended resolutely against Brann’s attacks, but it’s unfortunate we couldn’t capitalize on our last-minute chances,” Niccolini stated.
“Our performance was commendable, and we had earned the right to win today.”
After Lykogiannis’s red card, Bologna substituted Juan Miranda for Giovanni Fabbian, showing impressive resilience despite being down a player.
“We shifted to a 4-2-3 formation to maintain offensive pressure rather than sitting back. At half-time, we encouraged our players to play confidently, with determination and the goal of winning, and we came very close,” he added.
The red card incident involved Lykogiannis making contact with the ball before colliding with Emil Kornig, which looked worse in slow motion when the boot slid up his ankle.
“From my vantage point, it appeared he touched the ball first, and that momentum led to the challenge. In Italy, they might have reviewed it with VAR, but it wasn’t initiated. Playing with ten men for more than 70 minutes posed significant challenges,” Niccolini explained.
“We delivered numerous crosses and corners, put up a huge fight, and I can’t recall many demanding saves from Lukasz Skorupski.”
According to UEFA, Bologna had 54% of possession and registered 16 shots compared to Brann’s eight.
This draw places Bologna in 24th place in the Europa League standings, just one point above the relegation zone, with five points from four matches.