Bologna dedication to Italiano, but need to be ‘more altruistic’ after 2-1 victory

UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 28: Daniel Niccolini, assistant manager of Bologna, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Udinese and Bologna at Stadio Friuli on April 28, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Bologna assistant manager Daniel Niccolini dedicated the Europa League win against FCSB to coach Vincenzo Italiano and warned the strikers need to be ‘more altruistic.’

Coach Italiano was forced to watch from his hospital bed, where he has been for the last couple of days receiving treatment for pneumonia.

“I haven’t spoken to him yet, but we really wanted to dedicate this victory to him. He lives for football and suffers so much having to watch on television,” assistant manager Niccolini told Sky Sport Italia.

The Rossoblu secured their first Europa League victory of the campaign after a 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa and disappointing 1-1 home stalemate with Freiburg.

Bologna pick up first Europa League victory

They came out fighting in Bucharest, taking a 2-0 lead within 12 minutes thanks to goals from Jens Odgaard and Thijs Dallinga.

However, they wasted opportunities to further extend their advantage, thanking Lukasz Skorupski for some big saves, and allowing the Daniel Birligea goal to set up a tense finale.

“We had the right approach and the first 35 minutes were very good, then you will inevitably suffer a little under pressure when playing away from home.

“We had so many chances to score a third goal, also hitting the woodwork, so the only thing we were missing was that extra goal to lock it down.”

There were some moments when the Bologna strikers were shouting at each other, as they opted to go for goal rather than provide an assist.

“In some situations, we need to be a little more altruistic, because we could’ve killed the game off earlier and had less suffering towards the end,” acknowledged Niccolini.

“I understand the strikers want to score goals, especially Orsolini who hadn’t managed to find the net, so we can allow it in this case. Dallinga works hard and is always positive, I think he is doing very well.”

With the massive squad rotation, Odgaard seems to be the player they struggle to leave out.

“This is a team with many players who are alternatives to each other, but nobody else has Odgaard’s characteristics. He can shoot, pass, score goals, but also sacrifice himself for the team.”