Bologna coach Sinisa Mihjalovic praised his team after a ‘well-deserved’ 1-0 win over Hellas Verona on Monday. ‘We are more compact, one of the best games since I arrived’.
The Rossoblu needed 78 minutes before Mattias Svanberg scored the only goal of the game, and Mihajlovic highlighted the defensive improvement of the team as the key factor against Verona.
Bologna 1-0 Hellas Verona: Svanberg match winner at Dall’Ara
“Compared to last year, we have changed our way of defending in our own half,” Mihajlovic told Sky Sport Italia. “We are more compact, and we know that if we want to reach our target, we have to improve defensively.
“And this concerns all players. Sooner or later, we will score a goal. In addition to the goal, we had another couple of opportunities for a well-deserved win. One of the best since I have been here at Bologna.”
After a goalless first half, Mihajlovic felt the Rossoblu came out stronger after the break.
“We started better, we were strong and aggressive,” he continued. “Hellas didn’t have any more open balls that we gave them in the first half.
“This allowed us to stay taller and be more dangerous.”
Marko Arnautovic added an assist to his contribution when he set up Svanberg’s goal in the 78th minute, and Mihajlovic feels the Austrian striker has given the whole team a boost.
“He makes the team rise; he makes the others play well, but also attack the depth.”
Bologna have started the season in a great way, but the coach thinks there are many players in his squad that has not yet shown their full potential.
“There are so many: Svanberg, Skov Olsen, Barrow, Dominguez, Hickey and others. They have been here for some time, and I expect the leap in quality.
“They have room for improvement, but they have to believe more in themselves. The path of Tomyiasu must be an example for everyone.
“If he did it, everyone can do it.”