Bologna delivered a dramatic 3-2 victory over Napoli at the Stadio Maradona, delaying the Partenopei's Champions League qualification party. The win was sealed by a stunning 91st-minute semi-bicycle kick from substitute Tommaso Rowe, but the post-match headlines were dominated by Vincenzo Italiano's light-hearted jab at Federico Bernardeschi's contract.
The match saw Bologna take an early lead through Bernardeschi in the 9th minute, followed by Riccardo Orsolini's penalty in the 34th. Napoli fought back with goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo in first-half stoppage time and Alisson just after the break. Just when it seemed the hosts would salvage a point, Rowe's late heroics secured all three points for the visitors.
In his press conference, Italiano quipped: "Bernardeschi confided in me that his contract includes a clause requiring him to throw a bottle every time I substitute him. Everything is back to normal now, and I'm happy for Rowe – I told him he could enter for the last 25 minutes and bring unpredictability." The coach quickly clarified the remark was in jest, but it underscored the relaxed atmosphere in the Bologna camp.
Bernardeschi, who scored the opener, continues to impress with his physical numbers and left-footed ability. Italiano noted, "Berna still has impressive physical data, and his left foot is still excellent. This year we didn't surprise like last season, but we've seen flashes of the old Bologna."
Rowe's winner was the highlight of the evening. Italiano explained the Englishman's adaptation: "English players often struggle more than others. We waited for him, and after 3-4 months he blossomed. Since December, he has shown great quality, and he proved it with that goal."
On young striker Santiago Castro, Italiano said: "Castro? We've been talking about him since 2004. He has been a starter for two years in a team that played Champions League last season. He is growing under every aspect and still has enormous room for improvement. If he keeps his feet on the ground, he can become a truly important center-forward."
Looking ahead, Italiano confirmed a meeting with the club will take place to discuss the season and future plans. "There will certainly be a meeting to take stock of the situation and future programs, as we did last year. The club is top, the environment is top. I'm sorry for the recent grumbling, but it's understandable. We'll see what to do soon."
Bologna's victory prevented Napoli from securing their Champions League spot with two games to spare, adding tension to the final matchdays. The Rossoblù, while not reaching last season's heights, ended a difficult campaign on a high, with Italiano's tactical adjustments and squad rotation paying off. The bottle-throw joke may have gone viral, but the team's resilience and late-game heroics were the real story.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.
