Bologna coach Italiano ‘very happy’ with Juventus loanee Joao Mario

Vincenzo Italiano has delivered a glowing assessment of January arrival Joao Mario ahead of Bologna’s Serie A clash with Verona, with the Juventus loanee continuing to impress since his move to the Emilia-Romagna club.

The Portuguese midfielder, who joined on loan from Juventus in the winter window, has settled quickly into Italiano’s system.

“He is recovering well from the knock he picked up against Pisa,” the Bologna head coach confirmed, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He is loosening up more and more, he is smiling, and he has made himself available to play on the left as well, which was not straightforward for him. He has played two great matches and I am very happy.”

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Italiano was in a broadly positive mood at his pre-match press conference, pleased with the direction his squad is heading after a period in which their league position had given cause for concern.

Riccardo Orsolini was another player singled out for encouragement, despite a recent dip in form.

“He needs to rediscover his sharpness, but I am convinced that at the first good opportunity he will find his rhythm again,” Italiano said. “He is already in double figures this season despite the difficult spell, and in training today he was scoring some great goals.”

On the subject of the upcoming Europa League quarter-final against Roma, Italiano was emphatic that full focus remains on Verona. “We are thinking only about tomorrow,” he said. “We have put right a league position that we were not happy with, and we want to keep collecting points. Roma can wait until Monday.”

Dallinga returned to training on the eve of the match after managing a tendon issue, while Lykogiannis also appears to have shaken off his own tendon complaint.

Dominguez is another option in reserve, with Italiano praising the midfielder’s impact whenever called upon from the bench.