Jonathan Rowe Reflects on Marseille Exit Ahead of Bologna's Europa League Quarter-Final
Bologna forward Jonathan Rowe has addressed the dressing-room altercation with former teammate Adrien Rabiot that precipitated his departure from Olympique de Marseille last summer. In an interview with the Corriere di Bologna, the English attacker stated the incident is firmly in the past as he focuses on his new club's upcoming Europa League quarter-final against Aston Villa. Rowe moved to the Serie A side in a permanent transfer following the confrontation, which occurred after a match against Rennes.
Rowe expressed no lingering animosity towards Rabiot. "I don't hold it against him. We are adults, it happens that we get carried away by emotion, but we shake hands and move on," he explained. The player did, however, lament the significant media attention the fight received, suggesting similar incidents occur without becoming public knowledge. "In life, everything happens for a reason: ultimately, this episode brought me to where I am now," Rowe added.
Where he is now is with a Bologna side enjoying a remarkable season under manager Thiago Motta. The club is on course for Champions League qualification, sitting fourth in Serie A, and has advanced to the last eight of European competition. Rowe's comments come on the eve of their two-legged tie with Premier League side Aston Villa, a significant milestone for the Emilian club.
The context of Rowe's move stems from the immediate fallout at Marseille. Shortly after the reported physical clash with Rabiot in the Stade Rennais locker room, both players were swiftly moved on. Rabiot clarified the situation publicly days later, and Rowe's transfer to Bologna was subsequently finalized. The fee for the permanent deal was not disclosed by either club.
For Bologna, the signing of Rowe represented a calculated addition to a vibrant, young attacking unit. While his playing time has been managed, his integration into the squad has been smooth, coinciding with the team's historic campaign. For Rowe, the transfer offered a fresh start in a positive environment, far removed from the controversy of his final days in France. His reflection indicates a player content with how events unfolded, viewing the exit from Marseille as a catalyst for his current positive situation.
The immediate focus for both player and club is purely on the pitch. Bologna's encounter with Aston Villa marks their first European quarter-final in decades, a testament to their project's progress. Rowe will be hoping to contribute as his team seeks to continue defying expectations on both domestic and continental fronts.
