Scotland international Lewis Ferguson expressed optimism about Bologna’s chances of reaching the Europa League semi-finals, even after a 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the first leg. He also highly praised English winger Jonathan Rowe, calling him “on fire” and Bologna’s “best player in the last three months.”
Bologna faces Aston Villa in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final, needing to overcome a 3-1 deficit. “Anything can happen, and we still believe,” Ferguson told TNT Sports. “A lot of people on the outside might think at 3-1 it has finished the tie, but there are still 90 minutes to play and we’ve not given up. We’ve got nothing to lose now. We will give it absolutely everything.”
“We definitely have to take the positives,” Ferguson continued. “Large parts of the game we dominated and that’s not easy against a side like Villa. Especially the first half, we created a good few chances, the one off the bar, the goal disallowed, a goal could have changed the game at that point and then we go in at half-time 1-0 down after conceding from a set piece. Overall, we were really frustrated, but at this level it’s fine lines. It’s moments that cost us because over the piece we were good enough to get a decent result.”
English winger Rowe scored Bologna’s sole goal in the reverse fixture, earning effusive praise from Ferguson. “In the last three months, he’s been on fire. He’s been our best player. He’s the sort of guy we look to make the difference in games,” Ferguson said. “He’s a funny character off the pitch. I’m trying to keep his feet on the ground. He’s been excellent; he’s one of those guys who can win you games, and when I speak about fine margins and moments, he’s the kind of guy who can make the difference. He’s such a good out-ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen. He can create, score goals, assist, he’s got everything to be a top player.”
Despite recent moves from Bologna to the Premier League by players like Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and Dan Ndoye, and speculation about interest in Rowe, Ferguson is confident his teammate remains focused on the upcoming match. “I know him pretty well and I don’t think it will be in his head knowing he’s playing an English team,” Ferguson stated. “For English fans and Premier League fans who maybe haven’t seen him, that was a good chance for them to get a look at Jonny and see what he can do. Obviously, Norwich fans would have known, even though he was still young there coming through and has developed in the last couple of years into a really good player. I’m not speaking for him, but I don’t think that will be in his head, knowing Premier League fans and clubs will be watching that game. He’s relaxed, he’s funny, when he goes out on the pitch, the one thing on his mind is to try and make the difference, and that’s so important for an attacker. The way we play, we want to get the ball to the winger, and we expect him to create and score for us. He’s certainly been delivering.”
Rowe is in his debut season with Bologna. A few weeks prior, he had expressed a desire to return to the Premier League in the future. The 22-year-old winger has contributed seven goals and four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions for Bologna this season.
