Thiago Motta admits that Gian Piero Gasperini has had an influence on his Bologna side, ahead of their trip to the Gewiss Stadium. Speaking in his pre-match presser, Motta discussed the race for the top four, what makes his Bologna side great, and the recognition his side has received this season:
On Gasperini’s influence on Bologna’s style: “There’s definitely something, also because with him I’ve seen many beautiful things, in the way of working, in training, and in daily life: it’s the great strength that he has in daily life that he transmits to the team. For the consistency he has with Atalanta, there’s only admiration; I carry with me many things that I learned with him.”
On whether the master fears the pupil: “It’s not the case because it’s not Gasp against Thiago Motta but Atalanta against Bologna. I help the boys to enter the field at their best, but they are the real protagonists in this sport; I don’t see a competition between the two coaches.”
On Atalanta’s performances in their recent matches: “They’re a team of great level. They suffered a bit more against Milan, and against Inter, they started well then if you go down against Inter at San Siro, it’s complicated. They’re strong and in good shape.”
On what makes his Bologna great: “Both Atalanta and Bologna are two great teams that take the field to compete at their best, giving great hope to the fans to see beautiful football.”
On Saelemaekers and Castro’s condition: “Good, he has recovered, he’s fine like the others. Castro is doing very well, he has arrived very well and is integrating well; it’s early, but I’ve seen him very proactive in training. If he continues like this, he will have a great future.”
On Zirkzee’s national team call-up: “Very happy for him, he deserves it 200% for what he has done so far. It’s one more step; he will have to continue doing what he’s doing to help his national team.”
On changes in Atalanta’s recent performances: “Atalanta is a strong team in our league; I don’t need to say it, just look at the standings in recent years. They shoot well from outside, just look at Koopmeiners; they attack well crossing from the wings, even with the fifth man coming from the opposite side; they look for opponents’ mistakes to punish them; they bring something more which is the mentality of their coach. They’re not a team that just arrived; they also remain at the top of the league with Juventus, Inter, and Roma, and Atalanta has stayed there, and that’s the hardest part.”
On the importance of set-piece management: “It’s an important moment of the game. In the first leg, we played a great game, we suffered in transitions; they attacked us very well, restarting very quickly, a strength they have always had. We will have to limit their strengths, even in lateral free kicks where they often go into the area. They’re a very complete team; it’s not by chance that they are there.”
On possible tactical adjustments for the upcoming match: “I take everything into consideration; Lucumi can play as a full-back or even as a midfielder. Certainly, the best eleven will enter to face Atalanta.”
On Bologna’s recent recognition: “Nothing. These are things we can’t control; we do training and matches in the same way… of course, it’s better if there’s enthusiasm and praise, but it’s external, and we don’t have to change how we manage situations.”
On Bologna’s aspirations compared to Atalanta’s: “Not like Atalanta, I don’t make comparisons. Look at Atalanta’s standings in recent years; there’s no comparison.”
On Fabbian’s role and defensive improvements: “I see many things; studying these circumstances from the outside is not easy. For me, these situations come a lot from the attitude. We must do it well for these transitions, to avoid conceding goals; it was necessary against Hellas, it will be very necessary against Atalanta, which attacks fast, and we will have to be awake to come back. Fabbian understands well how to attack spaces. He has this talent. It’s difficult for defenders to read him; he must continue to exploit this moment; we have a striker like Zirkzee who opens these spaces.”
On collective play and individual improvement: “Everyone can do it. Everyone can improve; everyone has the opportunity to show their worth, respecting certain rules and above all, the game; during training and matches, they must demonstrate their best version.”
On whether the upcoming match is a Champions League playoff: “It’s the next match; everything else doesn’t matter.”
On concerns about criticisms of referees’ errors: “They don’t worry me; they will play their best game, like us and like the refereeing team. If we talk about credit for refereeing errors, Bologna has a credit of 10 years, but it’s not the case to complain; it’s better to think about the next match, respect the game, and do our best.”
On whether certain matches during the season are worth more than the three points: “For me and for the boys… a team always wants to win. It’s the next match, and we will face it as always; we have had great preparation; the boys are fine, as always, physically and mentally; only Adama Soumaoro is missing. We will go to Bergamo to face this great team, which is Atalanta.”
