Thiago Motta tells Joshua Zirkzee where he needs to improve and is glad Bologna fans are dreaming of Europe ahead of the rescheduled showdown with Fiorentina.
The Rossoblu had rather lost their way in recent weeks, but are now well and truly back on track with two consecutive victories, including this afternoon’s 4-0 demolition of Lecce.
Riccardo Orsolini bagged a brace between goals for Sam Beukema and January signing Jens Odgaard.
“It was a very good performance, we were concentrated from start to finish and those who came off the bench also kept the same level,” said the coach to DAZN and in a press conference.
Although Thiago Motta has been eager to keep the fans calm, he did not deny being pleased at hearing the crowd sing ‘Saputo take us into Europe.’
“It was great and I am very happy, because the President deserves that for all his hard work. My players and I must be able to channel that enthusiasm in the right way, correct our errors and keep our feet firmly on the ground.”
Bologna are right back in the race for fourth place and go into a head-to-head with Fiorentina on Wednesday, which was rescheduled due to the Viola’s participation in the Supercoppa Italiana.
The tactician has earned links with clubs such as Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain with his ideas, but refuses to take too much credit for the fantastically-worked third goal today.
“I take 0.001 per cent of the credit. Ultimately, it is the players who make those decisions on the pitch, they are the real protagonists of this sport.”
However, Joshua Zirkzee seemed very irritated when substituted on the hour mark, even if it was to rest him ahead of the Fiorentina match.
“When I watch the training sessions, I feel how difficult it is to make choices, because they all work well and have the right spirit.
“Zirkzee is sad when he comes off because he always wants to be out there helping his teammates. He is doing great things, he is a leader, but has to improve the fact he gets irritated when he doesn’t score. He is a fantastic lad who always thinks about the squad.”
Thiago Motta’s approach also has certain risks built in and they have been made to pay for those in the past, while it almost happened again in the opening minutes against Lecce.
“I ask them to play out from the back, but we do that to create problems for the opposition, it is not just about aesthetics. It would be too easy to blame one or another for errors in those situations, but there is a responsibility everyone shares, including myself. It takes courage to play the ball to feet out from the back.”
#SerieA | #Bologna, #ThiagoMotta: "Vittoria fantastica! Il coro per il presidente? Sono felice per lui. Se lo merita per il lavoro che fa e per la persona che è" https://t.co/25kLybW2JX
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 11, 2024
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