Victor Kristiansen says he joined Bologna because Enzo Maresca wanted to play him as a centre-back at Leicester City and is confident to develop by working under Thiago Motta.
The 20-year-old has moved to the Stadio Dall’Ara on loan with an option to buy from Leicester City and has already made his Serie A debut with the Rossoblu.
During his unveiling press conference at Bologna on Thursday, the Denmark international revealed why he joined the Rossoblu. “We got a new manager at Leicester and he did want to make me into a centre-back and play with three at the back,” he revealed.
“He wanted me to play on the left, so I told my agent that I needed to go somewhere I could be myself and where I could develop as a full-back, which is why I joined Leicester. Bologna came, and showed me a really good project where I could develop and play as a full-back. That was the reason I came to Bologna. The first game was a good experience for me, good stadium, we won, which was the most important thing. I played a good match and it was a good first experience.
“I think for every player the biggest experience is to play with the national team. I made my debut in the summer,” he continued.
“Of course, if I had to play centre-back I don’t think I would be seen as centre-back in the national team so it was important to come to a club where I could play full-back and be the Victor everybody knows.
Kristiansen had spoken to Thiago Motta and some of his staff members during negotiations between the two clubs.
“There were a couple of talks with Bologna during negotiations,” he admitted.
“I had a good experience of the guys behind the club. Of course, the mister is a good coach. He likes the way I play and I think he can develop me into becoming a world-class full-back.”
Despite Maresca’s tactical ideas, Kristiansen still talked with him about his potential move to the Stadio Dall’Ara.
“I talked with Maresca about Bologna. He played here. I played with some guys who played in Italy, especially Skov Olsen, he gave me some tips about where to go in the city and how to live here. It was a good thing to get to know it.”
The Danish full-back played the full 90 minutes in his first game with Bologna on September 2 against Cagliari, contributing to his side’s 2-1 win.
He had played 14 games with Leicester City before his transfer to the Stadio Dall’Ara.