Vincenzo Italiano has heaped praise on Federico Bernardeschi's remarkable resurgence at Bologna, while tipping young winger Jonathan Rowe for greatness—if he can match his match-day intensity in training. Speaking ahead of Sunday's crucial Serie A clash against Atalanta, Italiano made it clear his side will fight tooth and nail for a spot in next season's Conference League.

At his pre-match press conference at the Niccolò Galli training centre, the Bologna boss reflected on a season that has exceeded expectations. With just two games remaining, the Rossoblù still have a slim chance of snatching European football—and Italiano is refusing to give up.

"We can say it now because the season is almost over—we won the bet," Italiano said, referring to Bernardeschi's return to Italian football after a spell abroad. "We weren't gambling everything on a youngster nobody knew. There were doubts about getting him back in condition after years away from European football. In the end, he blossomed, and the player we knew returned. He's still a big kid because he still enjoys himself and gets angry when he doesn't play. He still has fire inside."

Bernardeschi's revival has been one of the feel-good stories of Bologna's campaign. Once a star at Juventus and the Italian national team, the 31-year-old winger has recaptured his best form, bringing creativity and experience to a young squad. Italiano's words underline just how much the player means to the team's identity.

Rowe, the 22-year-old English winger, also drew warm words—but with a clear challenge attached. "He can become a champion if only he understood that training requires the same intensity as a match," Italiano explained. "It's not that he isn't training well, but he needs to make this growth step in terms of intensity to improve further."

The message is a familiar one for young talents: raw ability alone isn't enough. Consistency in preparation is what separates good players from great ones. For Rowe, who has shown flashes of brilliance this season, the path to stardom runs through the training ground.

Italiano also addressed Bologna's puzzling inconsistency between home and away form—a trend that has frustrated fans and pundits alike. "You cannot always have an explanation," he admitted. "Perhaps too much fervour and euphoria has made us less rational in front of our own fans. Away from home, we have found incredible concreteness—we defend well and often score with our first shot on target. We didn't do it on purpose."

As Bologna prepare to face a formidable Atalanta side at the Gewiss Stadium, Italiano's blend of honesty and optimism sets the tone. With European football still within reach, every point matters—and every player, from the seasoned Bernardeschi to the promising Rowe, will need to be at their best.