Sinisa Mihajlovic insists that Juventus are still the team to beat in Serie A, claims Bologna are the “most booked” team in the world and feels Atalanta have “deserved” their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The last Serie A match that was carried out before the forced break was a game between Juventus and Inter in an empty Allianz Stadium.
The Bianconeri won the game 2-0 and are back on top of the standings in Italy, something Mihajlovic feels represents the gap of quality between the Old Lady and the rest.
Sinisa Mihajlovic insists that Juventus are still the team to beat in Serie A, claims Bologna are the “most booked” team in the world and feels Atalanta have “deserved” their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The last Serie A match that was carried out before the forced break was a game between Juventus and Inter in an empty Allianz Stadium.
The Bianconeri won the game 2-0 and are back on top of the standings in Italy, something Mihajlovic feels represents the gap of quality between the Old Lady and the rest.
“Juventus are still the best of all, and they don’t fail in these kinds of matches,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “We also saw it during the reverse fixtures. Inter have bought many players but are still behind.
“Despite Juventus doing worse than last year and Inter are better, the gap is still very big. Lazio are also having an amazing season.”
The 51-year-old continued to explain what the biggest problem for Bologna this season has been and why the results have been inconsistent of late.
“We were full of absentees. I don’t know why, but we are the most booked side in the world,” he said. “And I don’t have 11 Mihajlovic in the squad that plays ugly.
“I understand that it’s easier to book the young players compared to the champions, but we are always targeted. Every game we pick up three or four bookings and then we have a lot of players out with suspension.
“We missed 11 players against Udinese. And it’s already a problem for us when a couple are missing.”
Sinisa insisted that Manchester City are his favourites to win the Champions League this term, felt Atalanta “deserve” their spot in the quarter-finals and claimed Liverpool would have to “slip up” at some point.
“[Jürgen] Klopp had to slip up sooner or later, it’s the law of the large numbers. They have played an unrepeatable Premier League so far and will win by a triumph,” he said. “Liverpool pursued the League title after so many years.
“Playing against the Atletico Madrid of Diego Simeone is always tough.
“Atalanta scored eight goals against Valencia, they deserve to be where they are and can go even further, but my favourites to win the Final are still Manchester City.”
He has big hopes for the run-in and wishes that the campaign can be ended fair and square by playing out the remaining games of the season.
“To play out the end of the season all in one breath, with great passion,” he said. “Without controversy, excuses or alibis because we stopped.
“Who gained, who lost, who need to make up for a game, who played behind closed doors and who didn’t…
“What we are going through serves us a lesson. We suffer now and when we return to normal, that normality will be beautiful. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest.”