The Udinese vs Bologna match is set to take place today, drawing the attention of Francesco Guidolin, the former Bologna coach. Speaking about the prospects of the red-and-blues, whom he helped come within reach of the major European football leagues in 2002, he was quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Sharing his insights from the time when Bologna was a step away from the Champions League, Guidolin stressed the importance of continuity, saying, “That year, our engine, our secret, was continuity, something that today’s Bologna seems to have or could have. The fourth-place ranking of recent weeks should not go to their heads and should be taken as an achievement considering that some big clubs may re-enter the game, but reaching there is one thing, staying there is another. However, a Europa League chance may come around. It requires, as mentioned, continuity, and also belief.”
As for the future trajectory of the Bologna team, he is hopeful. He stated, “I wish this team a run like ours at the beginning of the 2000s but with a different ending, a joyous epilogue. On May 5 of that year, we were all convinced that Inter would win the Scudetto, but then… We had a strong, technically skilled team with a clear direction. That defeat was a bitter disappointment for us, which I hope this Bologna, led by Motta, will not have to experience. The team is enjoying a well-deserved magical moment as it plays well, guided by an intelligent and talented coach: he’s an interesting young prospect and will undoubtedly have a very bright career.”