Lewis Ferguson was rested to preserve him ahead of the Coppa Italia Final this week, his Bologna boss revealed.
The Scotland international is set to line up for his club for the Italian showpiece final on Wednesday against AC Milan in Rome.
And he was wrapped in cotton wool for the game by his manager Vincenzo Italiano in their 3-1 defeat to the same opponents, which could cost them a Champions League spot. Bologna have not won the trophy for 51 years and Italiano admitted he wanted to protect Ferguson.
Read more:
He explained: "Lewis Ferguson was not injured. I decided not to play him because I want him fresh for the final.
"A rest will do him good."
Former Aberdeen and Hamilton Accies midfielder Ferguson could become the first Scot to win the trophy since Graeme Souness 40 years ago, where he netted the only goal for Sampdoria in the first leg of the final, also against AC Milan and the Genoa club also won the second leg 2-1.
The match featured four future Rangers players - Souness, who of course also managed the Ibrox club and Trevor Francis for Sampdoria, while Milan boasted Ray Wilkins and Mark Hateley in their side.
The Sampdoria team also included Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Mancini, who both netted in the second leg. Souness left Italian football in 1986 to become player manager of Rangers.
