Bologna’s Winning Streak: Is It Tactics or Just Luck? | Vincenzo Italiano Explains Recent Successes

Pisa – Bologna finished 1-0 on Thursday, a slender victory that continues a quietly impressive run for Vincenzo Italiano’s side. But the win, and the manner of it, has sparked debate about whether the Rossoblu are simply getting fortunate, or if a subtle tactical shift is truly behind their recent success. Italiano himself downplayed any significant change, stating, “We simply changed the tie.”

The comment, made after the match, was an attempt to illustrate that Bologna hasn’t undergone a fundamental transformation, but rather adjusted a minor detail. But why the need to qualify the fifth narrow win since a tweak in the lineup? The question highlights the role of chance in football, and the human tendency to seek definitive explanations where none may exist.

Luck, for example, has played a part in the recent run of form. Bologna has benefitted from a relatively favorable run of opponents, and crucially, has completed all five of these victorious matches with a full complement of players. This contrasts sharply with recent, painful defeats against Genoa and Parma, both decided late with Bologna reduced to ten men.

Bologna has dropped points in the dying minutes of matches against Lecce, Como, Genoa, and Parma. While a positional error on a set piece contributed to the loss in Puglia, the other defeats saw goals conceded from the edge of the area with a settled defense – suggesting no fundamental defensive alignment issues or overly aggressive high pressing, criticisms often leveled at Italiano.

The victory in Pisa, and indeed much of the recent positive momentum, has coincided with the introduction of Andreas Skov Olsen for Frederik Sohm. Though, the change hasn’t been without its drawbacks. Olsen’s arrival, while ultimately leading to Odgaard’s winning goal, arguably contributed to a loss of control in midfield as both players and the team appeared fatigued from a demanding schedule.

It’s not that Bologna played poorly in the second half, but rather a specific portion of it, coinciding with Olsen’s introduction. Odgaard’s goal, a moment of individual brilliance, then shifted the narrative, making everything “right,” as if the right tie had been selected for the occasion.

Italiano’s attempts to justify tactical decisions that appear to deviate from his established philosophy stem from a desire to emphasize continuity. The core principles remain the same, he suggests, with only minor adjustments. These adjustments, however, have only become noticeable because of the string of narrow victories against teams considered, on paper, to be weaker opponents. Without those wins, the changes might have gone unnoticed.

So, what is the “right tie”? Is it deploying an extra midfielder in place of a playmaker, only to revert to the original setup? Is it a less aggressive press, focusing instead on a mid-block to prevent through balls and aerial attacks, even after conceding those opportunities? Or is it simply avoiding red cards? Perhaps it’s having a goalkeeper capable of saving a shot per game, unlike the recent costly error against Parma.

the answer remains elusive. As Italiano implies, football is a game of certainties constantly overturned. The key for Bologna, and for Italiano, is to continue finding ways to win, regardless of whether it’s through tactical brilliance, sheer luck, or a well-chosen “tie.”

According to Transfermarkt, Vincenzo Italiano, born December 10, 1977, is currently the head coach of Bologna. His playing career spanned several Italian clubs, including Verona and Padova, before transitioning into management. He previously managed Fiorentina before taking the helm at Bologna in 2024.

The win over Pisa marked Italiano’s 41st game in charge of Bologna, yielding 19 victories, 9 draws, and 13 defeats – a record comparable to his previous season. This suggests a consistent approach and a team steadily improving under his guidance.

Bologna’s next challenge comes against Atalanta on March 16th at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM CET (9:00 AM EST). The match will be a significant test for Italiano’s side, as they look to maintain their momentum against a strong European contender.

Tosco – Canale 88

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