Orsolini insists Bologna gained belief from performance in 1-0 loss to Aston Villa

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Genoa CFC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Riccardo Orsolini insists Bologna gained confidence from their 1-0 Europa League defeat to Aston Villa. ‘If we play like this, then any opponent is within reach.’

The Italy international was expected to start at Villa Park, but was one of six changes made by coach Vincenzo Italiano in Birmingham, only coming on for the final 20 minutes.

He made an immediate impact, his cross headed onto the crossbar by Santiago Castro, but the early John McGinn goal proved decisive.

Orsolini feels Bologna on the right track

“We came here trying to play a good game, we remembered how good Aston Villa were last season in the Champions League, and the tempo in the first half was so strong,” Orsolini told Sky Sport Italia.

“We knew that we were getting here, we had an extra push in the second half to get the equaliser, and we came close. I will honestly say that if we play like this, then any opponent is within reach for us.”

Bologna had lost here 2-0 last season in the Champions League, with McGinn again on target.

The scoreline was kept down here by Lukasz Skorupski, who parried the Ollie Watkins penalty kick, while in stoppages Martin Vitik was denied an equaliser by a desperate Marco Bizot save.

“Being on the bench is a natural part of this sport when you play every three days, and I am no longer 18 years old, so I need time to recover too,” continued Orsolini when pressed on the many changes.

“The coach always says those who come off the bench are just as important as those who start, as they can have a big impact, so we all just need to be ready when called upon.

“Last season in the Champions League gave us a lot of belief and experience, as many of us had never played in Europe at club level. Now we are seeing progress on that. Let us not forget Aston Villa are among the favourites to win the Europa League, so I believe we can get through to the next phase.”

Italiano was seen after the final whistle having an intense conversation with Orsolini and seemingly telling him off, something that the player confessed.

“He told me that I had made a misplaced pass to Thijs Dallinga, and I cannot just give it away like that to the opponents. I was trying to argue my case, but he was right, I’ll try to do better next time.

“I try to be a bit more unpredictable, as you all know I love to shoot with my left foot, but I try to vary it with crosses as well as finishes,” concluded Orsolini.