Bologna coach Beppe Papadopulo refuses to accept they're down after yesterday's 2-1 defeat to Reggina.

Franco Brienza and a screamer from Edgar Barreto settled the points for Reggina and Papadopulo said: "I don't want to cling to excuses. We made life complicated for ourselves today and put a spanner in the works for the season as a whole, but if we play with the same heart then we are confident going into the final weeks.

"The team still has the strength to fight for its place in Serie A and will avoid relegation.

"I made a pact with the lads that we will all give 100 per cent from the start to the final minute."