Bologna are fourth in Serie A and face Inter in the Coppa Italia, as coach Thiago Motta reiterates they ‘just want to play our football and take home the result’ even in an ‘undemocratic’ tournament.
The Round of 16 tie kicks off at San Siro on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT.
It is a real test, because while the Nerazzurri have won the Coppa Italia for the last two seasons in a row, Bologna are one of the form teams in Italy right now and surged past Roma 2-0 to take fourth place.
“We just want to play our football and take home the result,” said Thiago Motta in his press conference.
“We are up against Champions League finalists, serious contenders for the Scudetto, and we want to have our say. I will choose the players who are in the best shape, as we need everyone.”
Riccardo Orsolini, Jesper Karlsson and Adama Soumaoro are still out of action, but Bologna are in the spotlight now after their run of great results.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said that the current Bologna squad reflect what Thiago Motta was like as a player.
“It is always a pleasure to play football, especially in a historic venue like this. Compliments are pleasing, especially from people like Gasperini who mean a lot to me.
“I have great respect and admiration for the coaches I worked with, including Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal and Carlo Ancelotti, because they still work with the same energy and enthusiasm as if it was their first day on the job.
“I hope, even if that is a long way off, that I too can still have the same passion for football after 20 years. It’s no mean feat.”
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The Coppa Italia is unlike the FA Cup and other national trophies, in that it is structured in a way to ensure the big clubs have an easier path.
The top eight from the previous Serie A season do not enter until the Round of 16 and the seeded clubs get to play on home turf.
Thiago Motta was therefore asked if the Coppa Italia an undemocratic competition.
“I don’t even need to reply to that question. We all know this is what it’s like, my opinion won’t change anything, but this is certainly not the same as the Coupe de France or others who are played in a more attractive way. If the people in charge want to change it, then they will. All I can do is field my team in the best way.”
It is likely that Inter will start Marko Arnautovic upfront tomorrow against his former club, as the Austrian veteran had a few disagreements with Thiago Motta.
“Marko is a great player and he made an understandable decision. I wish him all the best for his time at Inter – except for tomorrow.”
Bologna squad: Bagnolini, Ravaglia, Skorupski; Beukema, Bonifazi, Calafiori, Corazza, De Silvestri, Kristiansen, Lucumi, Lykogiannis, Posch; Aebischer, El Azzouzi, Fabbian, Ferguson, Freuler, Moro, Urbanski; Ndoye, Saelemaekers, Van Hooijdonk, Zirkzee.