Bologna CEO Claudio Fenucci is most looking forward to Liverpool in the Champions League, but notes that ‘on paper we could do well in the home fixtures.’
The draw for the new format of the 2024-25 Champions League was completed this evening at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, although the precise dates and order of the fixtures will not be confirmed until Saturday August 31.
Bologna will host Borussia Dortmund, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lille and Monaco, while visiting Liverpool, Benfica, Sporting CP and Aston Villa, meaning all their away trips are in either England or Portugal.
It is the first time after 60 years that the Rossoblu are back in the Champions League, or the European Cup as it was known then.
“This is totally new for us, a wonderful moment we are experiencing with great emotion. There are eight very difficult games, but this is the biggest European tournament, so it is what we expected,” smiled Fenucci on Sky Sport Italia.
The visit to Anfield Road is the one that has most excited the Bologna supporters, especially as Atalanta won there in the Europa League last season.
They lost coach Thiago Motta, players Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee, but Vincenzo Italiano reached the last two editions of the Conference League Final with Fiorentina, plus the Coppa Italia Final.
A new Bologna in the Champions League
The home fixtures are arguably winnable for this team, perhaps aside from Borussia Dortmund.
“On paper, the home games are ones where we could do well, but we know that on paper and on the field are often two very different things. We have a coach who is accustomed to dealing with European tournaments and the difficulties of three games per week.
“We have to take it one step at a time, just like last season, getting everyone involved, trying to get as many points as possible and expecting a wonderful journey in stadiums our fans have not seen for decades. We want to prove that we can do well, even in such an important competition as the Champions League.”
Bologna’s aim is to finish in the top 24 out of 36, which would get them into the play-offs.
“Last season we took it one game at a time and we will do the same this year, then see where we are at the end. It is not easy to predict points, especially at this level.”