Samuel Iling-Junior left Aston Villa late in the summer transfer window and joined Bologna on loan.
It was a summer of upheaval for the player, who had joined Villa from Juventus only some weeks prior. Manager Unai Emery didn’t see an important role for the 20-year-old this season so a loan was decided as the best option.
Iling-Junior made an impact on his debut for Bologna, coming off the bench against Como and scoring in stoppage time to help his new side grab a 2-2 draw.
The Aston Villa loanee spoke about his debut and his performance after the game and revealed that the summer had been ‘difficult’ for him and he is now looking to make an impact for his new club.
He said, as relayed by TuttoJuve: “He [manager Vincenzo Italiano] asked me to try to change the game, I came on determined. I’m happy, but we still have to work and look forward with optimism.
“It’s a thrill to score after a difficult summer: I have to be ready and willing to fight. For me it’s a good start, but I have to continue working and help the team.”
Iling-Junior is used to Serie A action as he got a fair bit of that for Juventus, for whom he also played in the Champions League under Max Allegri.
The early impact he’s made after leaving Aston Villa will underline the feeling at the Birmingham club that a loan was the correct decision.
