Bologna, head coach Vincenzo Italiano held a press conference ahead of the upcoming match against Juventus, sharing insights on various topics, including comparisons to former coach Thiago Motta and his thoughts on star striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Italiano expressed his discomfort with the ongoing comparisons to Motta, stating, “Honestly, I don’t like making comparisons. Last year was an incredible journey, and every week and every game brings a situation that will never be the same.” He acknowledged that while there are similarities in their coaching styles, he emphasized the need to focus on the present: “Since I arrived, our approach has been very similar, but let’s stop there. Many important players are no longer here; we have started a new chapter with many young players.”
Addressing the criticism faced by Motta from fans, Italiano remarked, “It has happened to me in the past. I can say that it is unfair, but I will leave it at that; everyone has their own path. The environment around Thiago and the club has done something incredible.”
Italiano acknowledged the challenge posed by Juventus, stating, “Juventus is always Juventus. Since they started playing at the Stadium, it has become even more complicated. The current Juventus team is very strong; we will need to be robust in our duels because when they have the ball, they can put us in great difficulty.” He emphasized the importance of focusing on their performance as they aim to stay close to teams above them in the standings.
Italiano expressed disappointment over the absence of key player Orso, saying, “I am very sorry about Orso’s absence; halting his scoring continuity is unfortunate. I hope to have him back soon with the right mindset.” He also mentioned Lykogiannis will miss out and that there are other situations to evaluate before the match.
When discussing Vlahovic, Italiano praised him as a remarkable talent: “I met a world-class player during those six months when I got to know him—a player whose hunger in Florence allowed him to score before my arrival and with me. I will gladly embrace him tomorrow.” This highlights not only Vlahovic’s skill but also Italiano’s respect for his development as a player.
As Bologna prepares for this significant fixture against Juventus at Allianz Stadium, Italiano remains focused on building his team while recognizing the challenges ahead. With Vlahovic potentially back in action for Juventus, both teams are eager to secure valuable points in their Serie A campaign.
