Palladino 'didn't expect perfect match' after Bologna draw with Torino

Raffaele Palladino’s first game in charge of Bologna ended in a 1-1 draw with Torino at the Dall’Ara, and the coach was realistic about what three days of work could produce.

Federico Bernardeschi’s goal was cancelled out by Kulenovic, and Palladino focused on the response rather than the result, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb .

BOLOGNA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 19: Raffaele Palladino Head Coach of Bologna FC looks on during the Serie A match between Bologna FC and Torino FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on September 19, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) Palladino: ‘I asked for a reaction and I saw one’ “Having arrived three days ago, I did not expect a perfect match today because I have had little time with the lads,” he said. “I had asked for a reaction from the team and from the group, and I saw a side that is alive and cares about not being down there. There are undoubtedly principles to fix, but I saw the right reaction and I am satisfied with that.”

He was honest about where it slipped. “For 70 minutes we were in the game. In the second half we got a few transitions wrong and were less sharp. Unfortunately our physical condition dropped, fortunately we now have the break to work on that. The game gave me a lot of indications and I will work on those. It is a shame not to have given our supporters the win.”

Palladino went with a back three, a shape he had hinted at during his unveiling, and was encouraged by what he saw. “In the back three and with the wing-backs, the team has the qualities to play this system. For 70 minutes we did not concede a shot on target against a good Torino side. The more I work with the lads, the more I will understand whether this is the ideal outfit for them.”

BOLOGNA, ITALY – AUGUST 18: Lukasz Skorupski of Bologna gestures during the Serie A match between Bologna and Udinese at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on August 18, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) Palladino: ‘Mistakes happen to everyone’ Asked whether Lukasz Skorupski’s place is under threat after another error, the coach declined to pass judgement so soon.

“I need to spend time with him and assess him. I have known him for only three days and I have to evaluate him like Pessina and everyone else,” Palladino said. “I feel for him because he was already coming off a mistake, but what interests me is how he reacts. Mistakes happen to everyone, like to me in reading a game, but the important thing is the reaction, because that is what defines the man as well as the player.”

He also explained the withdrawal of Helland. “Helland had spent a lot and was fading. I tried De Silvestri this week in the back three. He likes that position and can also play as a wing-back. I needed experience to have the reading and the ability to understand the moment of the game. We are sorry to have conceded like that, but at this moment it has to be accepted.”