Thiago Motta expressed his frustration at Monza for excessive time-wasting in the 0-0 draw with Bologna. ‘Serie A is going backwards rather than forwards.’
Before kick-off, the Italo-Brazilian received his second consecutive award as Serie A Coach of the Month.
However, this was also his second 0-0 draw in a row after the trip to Frosinone, as his squad again had plenty of possession and numerous scoring opportunities, but were unable to finish them off.
Part of that was down to the saves of Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, but they also seemingly tried too hard to do something spectacular rather than be clinical.
“It was a very good performance, we created chances, did not allow Monza to have dangerous counter-attacks, I barely remember one or two times they beat our press. We always tried to attack, to win, and I think more than seven minutes were wasted,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia.
He did not hide his irritation at the amount of gamesmanship from Monza, as even seven minutes of stoppages did not feel sufficient.
“It’s not that I am angry, I just get the feeling sometimes Serie A is going backwards rather than forwards. I think all together we need to figure out how to make it much more spectacular for the fans.
“I think the Bologna supporters will go home satisfied anyway. We played much better than against Frosinone, we deserved the goal that didn’t come, but the ball did not go into the net.”
Thiago Motta made only one substitution throughout the match and that was because Lewis Ferguson hurt his knee.
“I saw the team in good shape. We have the option to make substitutions, but it is not obligatory. We were perfectly balanced, had the transitions right, so it was not the time to mess around with that.
“Monza were not just defensive, but from the first minute were trying to waste time, to make us feel frustrated. I remember last season against them we also played very well, but then conceded a counter-attack and lost the match. This creates frustration.
“It’s not all the referee’s fault, but there was very little football played, the players were constantly on the ground and this broke up the tempo, which inevitably favours the team that is not trying to play as much.”
The pair of stalemates means Bologna remain in fourth place and are still four points adrift of Juventus, who were also held 0-0 by Torino today.
However, it gives Roma and Atalanta the opportunity to close up on them in the fight for Champions League qualification.
Next week is a head-to-head with Daniele De Rossi’s Giallorossi at the Stadio Olimpico and there is a tough run-in including trips to Torino, Napoli, Genoa and at home with Udinese and Juventus.
Much has been said about Thiago Motta’s future, so he was asked if Champions League qualification might influence his decision on whether to remain at Bologna.
“The Champions League is a hypothesis for the future, there is no point talking about anything else right now. I need to get my players focused on being prepared to face Roma full of energy, the rest is secondary.
“It’s not worth talking about today, we need to keep our feet on the ground and carry on working the way we have done.”