Di Vaio: ‘Bologna coach like a caged lion’ in hospital during big Europa League tie

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio says absent coach Vincenzo Italiano is ‘like a caged lion’ in hospital while his team plays Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League.

It kicks off at the National Arena in Bucharest at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game, Roma-Viktoria Plzen and Rapid Vienna-Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

Bologna without coach Italiano in Bucharest

“Our target is to finish in the top 24, we only have one point so far, which means we need to win the game. This is why we made these choices for the starting XI,” Di Vaio told Sky Sport Italia.

Italiano is forced to miss this match, as he is stuck in a hospital room in Bologna undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

“He is feeling rather like a caged lion in there!”

The Rossoblu have won their last two Serie A games, but are still looking for their first win in Europe following a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa and 1-1 draw with Freiburg.

“We have improved our fitness levels, especially the strikers like Odgaard and Cambiaghi, now Castro, Dallinga and Bernardeschi are growing too. We have Fabbian back, so many players with a lot of potential who can make a big impact on how we perform.

“Hopefully, they can all be healthy and give us those alternatives to rotate.”

Bologna have a significantly better home record than away in Europe, both last season and in the current campaign, so how can that change?

“There is more experience now, but perhaps we are lacking some of the confidence that we can call upon in front of our home fans. We had some very strong opponents in the Champions League last season, and the opener this term was Aston Villa, who are of that level,” added Di Vaio.

“Now we hope to start getting points on our travels with the same focus and determination we have at the Stadio Dall’Ara.”