Italiano: ‘Bologna move paid off, best news is Immobile return’

Key Highlights

• Mentally and physically, we will have an extra weapon at our disposal from now on.”Immobile was back in the squad for the first time since a serious thigh strain in late August, and he came off the bench for a late cameo at the Stadio Dall’Ara. BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Ciro Immobile of Bologna celebrates after the team’s victory in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between Bologna FC and Parma Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Bologna, Italy.
• (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/)AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“Before Ciro got hurt, with Castro and Dallinga available too, we had tried having two strikers together, but obviously we abandoned that system after the injury,” explained Italiano.“Now we can try it again, because when you’ve got two forwards like this, you can cause real problems for the opposition defenders.
• In any case, we always try to press with a midfielder in a more advanced role too.“Ciro is deadly when attacking the space, now we have this extra option to draw upon.”The rough start felt like a hangover from Monday’s surprising 3-1 home defeat to Cremonese in Serie A, which was sealed by a Jamie Vardy brace. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe quarter-final will be against either Lazio or AC Milan, so could be a replay of last season’s Final. BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Giovanni Fabbian of Bologna is challenged by Mandela Keita of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match between Bologna FC and Parma Calcio at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 04, 2025 in Bologna, Italy.
• (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/)Finally, Italiano was asked about the struggles that his former club Fiorentina are dealing with, as they are in penultimate place in Serie A.“I am sad, because there are such wonderful people at that club.
• It was all so unexpected, but they can still turn this around.