Bologna, August 29, 2026 – Overturns and flashes of genius. But Riccardo Orsolini has also learned to come in hard, if needed. “A lot has been said about my renewal, too much: wrong things, distorted thoughts. I kept a low profile, never said a word out of place, but maybe I was wrong: maybe I should have spoken earlier”. He does it now to Carlino, a few days after committing to his Bologna until 2031. For life.
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Orsolini, why did it take so long to sign?
“Because it was a long contract, it included many clauses, bonuses: many situations that couldn’t be resolved quickly. Every time a different loophole came up: one day something was fine, the next day it wasn’t, so it had to be discussed again. Bureaucratically, it couldn’t be something closed in five minutes. And then there were company timings to respect, there were also other priorities. I also signed the last renewal around this time. A case was created that didn’t exist. I didn’t say anything on purpose. It would have been easy to make a trivial story on Instagram and say ‘many false things are coming out, etc…’. I deliberately didn’t do it: I wanted to see how far it would go.”
“They were a bit difficult weeks, some judgments upset me: but it ended as I hoped”
And how far did it go?
“Many said it was a matter of money: no, money has nothing to do with it. If I had wanted to prioritize money, I would have already said goodbye to everyone last summer and gone to earn ten sacks a year (in Arabia, ed). Then I read certain figures about the renewal… figures that if true, I tell you ‘maybe’. If I had only looked at money – with all due respect – I wouldn’t have stayed here.”
Was there anything that hurt you?
“Not hurt, no. They were a bit difficult weeks, though. Some judgments upset me. Others, instead, made me laugh. Like those who said: ‘Orso is not wanted by anyone’. Which obviously wasn’t true…”
Were there other offers on the table?
“Yes, from those leagues where they cover you with gold, but not only: also from Italy, I have to be honest. Even shortly before signing, Serie A clubs called me saying: ‘Wait, reconsider’. It would have been easy maybe to do the last year here and then leave on a free transfer.”
Teams offering Europe?
“I don’t know, I don’t remember (laughs, ed)”.
Why did you choose Bologna and Bologna again?
“Because ours is a happy marriage: the club and the city have always had priority. It’s a life choice. Bologna is a second home, the place that allowed me to grow and become the player and person I am today. I prioritized my well-being, which – mind you – doesn’t mean settling: here in recent years you can express football better than in other places. Going to be one of the many elsewhere didn’t interest me.”
You know, though, that after the first three games without goals, you will be under criticism again?
“Honors and burdens, like all things. If after three games, someone grumbles, it means I got him used to it well. This responsibility has never scared me.”
Three photos in red and blue?
“Rome, the Coppa Italia: there’s nothing else to say. Then one from Piazza Maggiore: actually, the two photos from the celebrations in the square. And finally, the very first shot the day of my presentation in 2018, when I arrived here, skinny and clean-shaven.”
What would you say to that Riccardo?
“I would say: work hard, you have the qualities. It was just a matter of time, of feeling strong, because that Riccardo was more scared, he kept things inside: now if something doesn’t suit me, I spit it out. But it’s normal: the player grows and the person grows.”
When did you realize you were strong?
“After the first six months with Sinisa, that unexpected salvation: that’s when I realized I could be in Serie A. ’Sini’ touched the right chords, he knew how to tease me and pamper me. I also learned from him the aspect of being able to say what I think. He used to say ‘oh I annoy you, but when will you tell me to f*** off? I’m waiting. When do we fight? He provoked you to see how long you lasted and to make you bring out your character.”
What would Sinisa have said if he were still here? Would he have teased you about the renewal?
“We definitely would have fought (laughs, ed). Then we would have hugged and gone out for dinner to celebrate.”
The nicest message you received after the renewal?
“There are many. If I have to choose, I say the one from Federico Di Francesco and Kevin Bonifazi. In general, I was touched by the affection of the fans: they really wanted this signature. One even threw me a pen…”
Did Italiano write to congratulate you?
“Italiano? No, he didn’t write to me. I haven’t heard from him, I exchanged messages with someone from his staff: it remained a relationship of esteem and affection, we wished each other good luck for the season.”
Not with Italiano, though. Disappointed?
“No, no… he must have been busy.”
Did Tedesco play a role in the decision to renew?
“Absolutely yes. If a grump or someone who you say ‘this year it’s not the right atmosphere’ had come, I would have done some calculations: if I have to do three or four years like this, I think carefully. It’s a variable that weighed. In this, the club was good at finding a strong coach – because the coach is strong – but he is also a good person. He impressed me from the first day, in July. He immediately wanted to talk to me, we spent half an hour chatting about everything: I really appreciated the man. I’m discovering the coach now. But like all new cycles, it takes time, we’re just at the beginning: even with Vincenzo we started badly. Adaptation, patience, luck are needed. It’s all new for us.”
By the way, was the preparation in Valles tough?
“Tough?! It smashed us. Since the training camp with Gasperini (summer 2017, ed) I hadn’t suffered like this. Maybe I’ve also aged… But it was nice, because even in the effort, there was always a way to smile: and for me, a smile is fundamental.”
How is Tedesco different?
“He doesn’t have that pressure that in Italy you have to have otherwise it seems you’re not on the ball: pre-match anxiety, all nonsense, our legacies. The coach is calmer, he’s modern: football is going in that direction.”
“The knockout with Lazio? I expected the first 6 games to be very tough: new cycles need time”
How has life changed for you wingers?
“It’s a somewhat different job: you really have to be very well to do it, because you run a lot and arriving up front sharp is hard: but if it helps the team win, I trade all my goals. In any case, I’m calm: there’s a staff of smart guys, open to dialogue. They are trying to adapt to us and we to follow them without losing ourselves.”
But if Bernardeschi had adapted as a mezzala it would have been better for you too…
“No (laughs, ed). I’m happy if Fede helps us win matches, if he scores or assists, he’s an added value. Then he’s much more versatile than me: I think the coach also saw this and tried to change his role, because maybe he wanted to make us coexist. Maybe it will happen, the coach knows. But, well, it’s true that Fede knows how to play on the field, in tight spaces he’s very technical, he has the final pass.”
“Transfers always bring skepticism. Rowe? Quality helps. Sometimes you lose one and the heir performs better”
Meanwhile, Lucumi, Castro, Freuler have left: around you, do you sense a bit of…
(interrupts the question). “The answer is yes: I feel skepticism. As soon as something negative happens, there’s grumbling here. I heard grumbling when Zirkzee left, when Calafiori, Beukema, Ndoye left: I’ve been hearing grumbling since Verdi left… it’s part of the game.”
Are the difficulties with Lazio also part of the game?
“Of course! Look, I expected the first six games. The first six will be extremely difficult, pure. Monday Atalanta: the schedule doesn’t help. Now Serie A has become as uncertain as Serie B: the first can lose to the last, it’s leveling more and more. We saw it in the World Cup. But it’s nicer for me, the same teams don’t always win. It wouldn’t be surprising if Como, for example, won the Scudetto.”
And if Bologna returned to Europe?
“I would be happy if this team quickly gelled and found an understanding that wasn’t seen in the first game. We have to try to form a group that can compete for those goals. Today I don’t want to make proclamations, fool people by saying ‘we have the duty to go to Europe’. No, we have the duty to become a good team, because we’re not yet.”
With Rowe it would be easier.
“Clearly: the more quality there is, the better. Then market dynamics are known: you lose one, another arrives. And maybe he performs even better. As has happened many times in the past…”
Meanwhile Mancini is back with the Azzurri: the first coach to call you up to the senior national team.
“First of all, I hope Italy recovers that attachment from the people like I had as a kid with the 2006 boys. Then, of course, I hope to perform well so I can be called up.”
At the end of the contract you will be 34: what goals do you set for the present and future?
“I only have daily goals: to come home and ask myself if I gave everything. Now the team is important. We are confident, but it will take time. We are a bit like Bologna: a work in progress, work in progress.”
Honestly, this time did you think about leaving?
“No. Every year you ask yourself if it’s not better to end with a happy memory. After the Coppa Italia, we could all have left. But me and Bologna couldn’t have done anything but continue together.”
