Bologna are in fourth place and Thiago Motta dedicates the win over Roma to Sinisa Mihajlovic. ‘I always said when you work with a smile, it becomes special.’
The Rossoblu are taking full advantage of the strain that European commitments are putting on the other teams to surge past them all into fourth place.
They out-played Roma at the Stadio Dall’Ara this evening, securing a 2-0 win thanks to a well-worked Nikola Moro goal and Rasmus Kristensen bundling into his own net.
“We put in a very good performance. At the end of the day, we experience every game to the full because we know the difficulties that all teams have, each have their own issues. The lads were very good in their approach, remained united and solid, did not let Roma back in the game,” Thiago Motta told DAZN.
“We played well in defence, in attack, in controlling the ball and our emotions, which was not easy especially at the start. It was a great performance in every aspect.”
Bologna have a tendency to out-muscle opponents in Serie A, even with a few current injury problems to deal with.
“This is down to the hard work of the lads, who from the first day worked with the idea of improving, of reaching levels like this and it is enormously satisfying to beat a side like Roma at home. They deserve the credit for their daily work.
“There was also something special in the air, it was a victory for Sinisa. I am sure he was watching and gave us a big hand, as these lads showed great character right to the end.”
Yesterday was a year since the former Bologna coach died and his wife and children were at the Stadio Dall’Ara today, with many banners and chants remembering Mihajlovic.
This fourth place is no fluke, as Bologna have also held both Inter and Juventus to stalemates this season.
“I always said that when you work with a smile, it becomes special. These lads are really giving us memorable moments, seeing the professionalism, the effort, helping each other out in training and in a match situation.
“We have players in defence and midfield who can push up and are intelligent tactically. Dan Ndoye has this change of pace that is remarkable and we knew Roma would always go to defend that zone, but he did really well to get to the by-line repeatedly.
“On the first goal, Joshua Zirkzee’s movement was crucial, as he created the spaces for his teammates. He is a player with great technique, physicality, he sacrifices himself for the team and he does it with a smile. All the players are happy to help each other out and that’s the best thing to see, Zirkzee coming back to help in defence.
“He knows that he has to improve, there are some balls he loses too easily and that’s not acceptable, but he’s working on it.”
With 28 points after 16 rounds, it is the best ever Serie A start for this club in the three points for a win era, so can they dream of Europe?
“Our fans have every right to dream and we have the duty to get back into training tomorrow, prepare for the next match on Wednesday and keep going like this.”