VINCENZO Italiano has explained why he changed Lewis Ferguson’s position after taking over as Bologna manager during the summer - even though the Scotland internationalist was voted the best midfielder in Italian football last season.
Red and Blues captain Ferguson was the proud recipient of the Premio Bulgarelli Number 8 award which had previously been won by Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali and Davide Frattesi following an outstanding 2024/25 campaign.
The former Hamilton and Aberdeen player helped the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara club to finish fifth in Serie A and qualify for the new league phase of the Champions League – the first time they had been made it into Europe’s elite club competition in 60 years.
Read more:
- Scott McTominay's Napoli success leads to special pizza creation
- Scott McTominay brace sends Napoli three clear in Serie A and Scot ahead of Denis Law
- Scott McTominay's team mate on key reason for the Scot's remarkable rise at Napoli
However, Italiano, the ex-Hellas Verona player and Fiorentina manager who took charge at Bologna after Thiago Motta departed for Juventus, shifted his skipper into the “regista” or deep-lying playmaker role once the Scot had made his comeback from the anterior cruciate ligament injury which had ruled him out of the Euro 2024 finals.
It was a bold, some would say foolhardy, move. But it has paid off for him and then some. His team are still in with a chance of finishing fourth in the league table and making it back into the Champions League with just three matches remaining.
The German-born coach played in central midfield himself and was heavily influenced by Demetrio Albertini, the former AC Milan and Italy player, and Andrea Pirlo, the iconic AC Milan, Juventus and Italy great.
Italiano sensed that Ferguson would be more effective for Bologna dictating play and he has been proved correct.
“It was a shame that I didn’t have him at my disposal at the beginning. When he returned I was worried that he may suffer a relapse because he had had such a long absence after his operation. But from the moment he came back he made a difference.
“He had a long period out after the Napoli game this season, but he came back against Juventus and I was very pleased because, as I say, he has quality, personality, dynamism and great technique. In my opinion, he is a player of the very top level.”
Read more:
- Block rockin' Bologna beats showed why silencing Scottish fans is stark raving lunacy
- Lewis Ferguson gets chance to emulate Rangers icon as Bologna make Coppa Italia final
- Scotland striker Che Adams equals Denis Law's Torino goal record after 63 years
Italiano continued, “It's true that I have changed his role this season. Last season he practically always played as a three-quarter back, as a second striker almost. He was much further forward. But I talked to him and we decided to use him in a different area.
“I think he can have maximum impact in the position he is in now. He told me he had played there before and it was obvious to see that he had. He has great characteristics, not least a mastery with the ball when he is dribbling. He can position himself in the middle of the field and play short and play long.
“In the future, I believe he can play at the very highest level in this position because for me he is a footballer who has everything.”
