Jonathan Rowe stated that Bologna were unfortunate in their first-leg defeat and is confident his team can make the most of a second opportunity at Villa Park on Thursday evening, despite facing a two-goal deficit.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg, the English winger was open about what he perceived as an injustice in the first match at the Dall’Ara.
“We had bad luck in the initial game; we should have been leading by two goals at halftime,” he remarked, as quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb. “However, that’s football. We were penalized, and now we must capitalize on this second chance.”
Rowe acknowledged that only their season’s best performance will suffice to turn the tie around against an Aston Villa side that has been one of the most consistent teams in the competition.
When questioned about which Aston Villa player he would most like to neutralize, the Bologna forward offered a diplomatic evasion.
“I know many of them,” he said with a smile. “But I’m unsure who will start, so I can’t pick one. They are a formidable team regardless of who is on the pitch. We will give our absolute best, and so will they. Let’s wait and see the outcome.”
This is a significant challenge for Italiano’s squad, but Rowe’s comments suggest a team that has not abandoned hope for a remarkable comeback in European football.
Aston Villa vs Bologna – Rowe: ‘We will give our all’
Jonathan Rowe expressed that Bologna were on the wrong side of luck in the first leg and is looking forward to seizing their second chance at Villa Park against Aston Villa on Thursday evening, despite the significant two-goal deficit they need to overcome.
During his pre-match press conference before the Europa League quarter-final second leg, the English winger frankly discussed the perceived unfairness of the first match at the Dall’Ara.
“We were unlucky in the first game; we deserved to be two goals ahead at halftime,” he said, with his quotes reported by TuttoMercatoWeb. “But that’s how football works. We were punished, and now we have to make the most of this second chance.”
Rowe admitted that nothing less than their finest performance of the season will be enough to swing the tie in their favor against an Aston Villa team that has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the competition.
When asked which Aston Villa player he would prefer to take out of the game, the Bologna forward responded evasively with a smile.
“I’m familiar with several of them,” he commented. “But since I don’t know who will start, I can’t make a specific choice. They are a strong team irrespective of the lineup. We will put in maximum effort, and so will they. We’ll see how it unfolds.”
It presents a monumental task for Italiano’s team, but Rowe’s remarks indicate a squad that remains determined to achieve one of European football’s great turnarounds.
