MILAN, OCT 1 – Bologna face their biggest game in 60 years tomorrow when they take on Liverpool at Anfield, the kind of glamor match fans dreamed of when the team surprised many by qualifying for the Champions League.
The last Italian champions in 1964, Bologna played in the old European Cup but were knocked out of the competition in the preliminary round on a coin toss by Anderlecht.
Without last season’s stars Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori, who have both left for the Premier League, and now Juventus coach Thiago Motta, Bologna have looked weak all summer.
Motta’s replacement Vincenzo Italiano has just one win from his new side’s first six games in all competitions, with Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta.
“Atalanta are a team that plays at Champions League level and the pace of the game at Anfield on Wednesday will be the same,” Italiano said after Saturday’s draw.
Bologna are on one point in the new league phase of the tournament following a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Bologna’s youngster, Argentine striker Santiago Castro, settled in quickly after arriving from Velez Sarsfield in January, and has started the season in good form.
The 20-year-old has scored three goals this season, with two of those goals coming from long range against Monza and Atalanta.
He should be fit for action at Anfield as he trained with his teammates on Monday and appears to have recovered from the calf injury he suffered against Atalanta.
“He’s amazing. He is a young player who is developing day by day, scored a great goal today and worked hard,” said Italiano.
“He came here and continued to perform. I hope he doesn’t stop with his development because he has a great future ahead of him.”
It will be an interesting clash and a serious night between Liverpool and Bologna, not to mention that Bologna are looking to become the third Italian club to win there after Genoa in 1992 and Atalanta last season. – AFP
