Bologna director Marco Di Vaio says the clubs are keen to keep Thiago Motta at the helm, while Joshua Zirkzee is not leaving in January. The Rossoblu have had a stellar season to date, slipping to just two defeats in the entire campaign. Speaking with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Di Vaio confirmed that the club are keen to plan for the future with Di Vaio, while no big name players will be leaving in the upcoming transfer window:
Bologna and Bologna FC: a honeymoon.
“Yes, indeed. The alchemy that has been created with the city, together with the joy I see in Saputo’s eyes, I had never seen before and it makes us proud. Now we have to continue: always with work, an essential basis.”
And to think that it all started with a painful firing, defeats and the protest.
“I think that that contestation more than a year ago was more of a gut reaction and feeling, for the initial defeats and for the fact of having replaced Sinisa Mihajlovic. It wasn’t for Motta, people didn’t know him yet. But from those days something was born. In fact, maybe even a little before.
It was said that this club had no ambition.
“We built everything in three steps: the first, the consolidation in Serie A; then, after the scare of Serie B, we started another chapter thanks to Mihajlovic, also making bigger and bigger investments, I mention Tomiyasu, Dominguez, Skov Olsen. Today is the third step, with Thiago Motta present every day. Now Bologna and Thiago are growing together, for and with ideas and mentality’.
The decisive shot?
“The awareness achieved, the idea of never having left any match, the intense work, the good game, the idea of having created, also on Thiago’s instructions, a team with double roles: in the market we wanted to create a young squad with potential and only the pitch could give us answers. It gave them. It is a group very similar to Thiago in wanting to grow and prove itself, ambitious. And over time it has gained awareness, strength. But there is still a long way to go until the end of the championship, so…’.
Do you ever think about what the league table would be like without those acknowledged refereeing errors?
“Never. And nobody has done that here: zero alibis’.
When will Motta renew?
“We see each other every day: we know what he would like, what ideas he has.
And the fact that he would like to be more ‘central’ in the choices?
‘We involve him, always’.
Feelings of renewal: 50/50, 80% yes and 20% no?
“Now is the time to cultivate what we are experiencing. And to maintain it. Through this path, a future with Thiago can be born. The higher we are, the more chances we have.”
The parties want each other: what is missing then?
“I have already said that we would like to continue with him for a long time and I repeat that. Do we fear that a big team will come and take him? Fear, no. We are happy and we are managing to do together what has failed in the past. This is a place where he can grow and continue to play his football: I think it’s an important base for a good, young coach. I repeat: getting to Europe can help us move forward together’.
How many calls have you already received for Zirkzee?
“None. And we wouldn’t answer them anyway. Joshua is a nine-and-a-half yes, but he doesn’t look like anyone: he’s unique.
And that clause?
“It only applies to Bayern (of 40 million, ed.), articulated. For other clubs the price is free…’.
In January the top players won’t move, right?
“Right’.
What kind of market will it be: full-bodied, maintenance?
“We will improve where possible. And we will understand if someone wants to stay even if they play little.
Santiago Castro is coming yes?
“He’s a watched profile. And who has proven himself.
Would Motta like a regista?
“At the moment it is not a priority. Then the market is unpredictable’.
Ndoye out 6 weeks: Karlsson stays?
“Karlsson is not moving’.
Who impressed you the most among the players?
“Do I have to choose one? Calafiori. We had seen him so many times in Basel, but we couldn’t imagine him like that: from day one he showed up with an impressive mental, physical and athletic impact. A wonderful discovery’.
Saputo always close by, at Casteldebole, how much of an influence did he have?
“A lot. Especially in the summer, when we had to make strong choices with Claudio (Fenucci, ed), Thiago and Giovanni (Sartori, ed): an important support, a daily imprint. And he’s delighted to see Bologna like this. And of Thiago’.
Sartori said that you don’t set limits: do you agree?
“I agree, yes, we are breaking down the limits. Knowing, however, that it’s only been 17 games: a lot, but… still nothing.
