Bologna leave Italiano decision ‘to last minute’ in Europa League after illness

Bologna assistant manager Daniel Niccolini warns the decision on Vincenzo Italiano’s presence will be made ‘at the last minute’ for the Europa League against SK Brann.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 20.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Rangers-Roma and Mainz-Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

Italiano has not been on the Bologna bench since going into hospital on October 21 for pneumonia, where he remained for a week.

He was at the stadium on Sunday, but remained indoors as the weather was not ideal for someone in the recovery process.

Bologna gradually welcoming Italiano back

“Vincenzo is feeling much better, we’ll decide with the doctors at the last minute whether he will be on the bench or not,” Niccolini told Sky Sport Italia.

The Rossoblu are unbeaten in all competition since their trip to Aston Villa on September 25, but after too many stalemates, they are finding some form with a 3-1 Serie A victory away to Parma on Sunday.

In the Europa League, they followed a 1-1 against Freiburg with a win away to Steaua Bucharest, so this evening host Norwegians SK Brann.

“We want containment when the opposition attacks, and to build out from the back when we are in possession,” explained the assistant manager.

Santiago Castro had been expected to rest in favour of Thijs Dallinga after scoring twice in the 3-1 Serie A win away to Parma, but he starts with Federico Bernardeschi, Giovanni Fabbian and Nicolò Cambiaghi.

“After the brace and great performance on Sunday, we want to ride that wave and hope he repeats himself this evening. This is a very important match, we are on home turf and want to secure all three points to boost our position in the Europa League table,” added Niccolini.

“Brann are a very aggressive, physical side, they already won two games in the competition this season, so we have to be on our toes.”