Following Bologna’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta in the sixth round of Serie A, head coach Vincenzo Italiano shared his thoughts on the match in an interview with Sky Sport.
Italiano began by highlighting the positive aspects of the game: “We take home the spirit of our players from the moment we were reduced to ten men. I’ve experienced this before against Atalanta, and it’s difficult because they keep enveloping you and throwing you into the penalty area. I decided to focus on the result and the standings. The first half was beautiful, another match played openly with Atalanta, with chances on both sides. The numerical disadvantage somewhat marred the game.”
He praised Santiago Castro’s performance: “I must say bravo to Santi (Castro) who scored and moved very well. He’s growing a lot. I thought he had cramps, but it was a knock. I decided to substitute him also considering the many upcoming matches.”
Regarding Dan Ndoye, Italiano commented: “He works every day to improve his effectiveness in front of goal. He has everything, and if he adds this, he can become a top player. He’s strong, but he knows he needs to add this crucial element for a wide attacker. We’ll try to remove this shyness because it’s a shame, but given how he applies himself in training, I believe he’ll overcome it soon.”
Discussing the team’s busy schedule, Italiano said: “This team must think game by game. Atalanta is a team that has been playing in European competitions for years and manages to win. Tomorrow we’ll see who has spent too much today and who can recover. We’ll prepare for the next battle. Against Liverpool, we can make very few mistakes because they have very strong attackers.”
Finally, Italiano spoke about his relationship with Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini: “He thought the added time was too short, I told him I thought it was too little. I respect him immensely. What he has done at Atalanta is an example for everyone. You’ve seen what Atalanta is, a team that has raised its value this year and will be competitive in all competitions.”
