Lewis Ferguson feels that a comeback can be achieved by Bologna in the Europa League, and he reflected on the recent form of an attacker who could spearhead a turnaround on Thursday evening.
‘He’s been our best player’
The Rossoblu lost 1-0 to Aston Villa on the opening matchday of the tournament in September, and their 11-game unbeaten streak in European encounters ended with another loss against Unai Emery.
The Basque boss watched his men earn a 3-1 triumph in the first leg of their quarter-final contest as Ollie Watkins and Ezri Konsa profited from expert set-piece service by Youri Tielemans. But Bologna also handed the second strike to their guests, and they were dominant enough across the 90 minutes to feel a little frustrated, especially because of the phase of pressure that led to their goal.
The man who managed to spoil Villa’s clean sheet was Jonathan Rowe, a club record signing who has shaken off the abrupt end to his time in Marseille with fine form in the new year. He has the highest tally of attempted and completed dribbles in the Europa League, registering all four of his strikes in the competition in 2026. Back on English soil, Rowe will surely relish the chance to shine.
“Anything can happen. We still believe. A lot of people on the outside might think at 3-1 it has finished the tie, but there are still 90 minutes to play and we’ve not given up. We’ve got nothing to lose.
“We will give it absolutely everything. We definitely have to take the positives. Large parts of the game we dominated and that’s not easy against a side like Villa.
“Especially the first half, we created a good few chances, the one off the bar, the goal disallowed, a goal could have changed the game at that point and then we go in at half-time 1-0 down after conceding from a set piece. Overall, we were really frustrated, but at this level it’s fine lines.
“It’s moments that cost us because over the piece we were good enough to get a decent result.
“[Jonathan] came late in the window in bizarre circumstances, then it was just a fast change. He changed club, we were in the season, so it was maybe difficult for him to get going and understand our way of playing. It did take him a little bit of time to settle in, not in terms of the group, but the style of play and the way football is here. But in the last three months, he’s been on fire.
“He’s been our best player. He’s the sort of guy we look to make the difference in games. He’s a funny character off the pitch; I’m trying to keep his feet on the ground. He’s been excellent, he’s one of those guys who can win you games.
“When I speak about fine margins and moments, he’s the kind of guy who can make the difference. He is such a good out ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen. He can create, score goals, assist, he’s got everything to be a top player.
“I know him pretty well and I don’t think it will be in his head knowing he’s playing an English team,” Ferguson said. For English fans and Premier League fans who maybe haven’t seen him, that was a good chance for them to get a look at Jonny and see what he can do.
“Norwich City fans would have known, even though he was still young there coming through and has developed in the last couple of years into a really good player. I’m not speaking for him, but I don’t think that will be in his head, knowing Premier League fans and clubs will be watching that game.
“He’s relaxed, he’s funny, when he goes out on the pitch the one thing on his mind is to try and make the difference, and that’s so important for an attacker. The way we play, we want to get the ball to the winger, and we expect him to create and score for us. He’s certainly been delivering.”