Bologna coach Thiago Motta says his player deserve more credit for their incredible run this season, following a 2-0 win over Verona. The Rossoblu look firmly on track for a top-of-the-table finish after a routine 2-0 victory over relegation threatened Verona. Speaking post-match, Motta explained why he believes there’s too much focus on him and not enough on his players:
“Watching the highlights, I get emotional, but even on the field, I get emotional. It’s clear that after watching the footage, things become a bit clearer because on the field, even amidst emotions, it’s not easy to see all the situations that unfold. Often, we focus on the ball, but there are many other behaviors that need to be observed and emphasized. We conceded a counterattack where everyone tracked back, everyone wanted to defend. I would say today we won 3-0 because Skorupski’s save at the end is worth a goal. An extraordinary save.”
Motta then emphasized Skorupski’s crucial save towards the end of the game: “Skorupski’s save at the end is somewhat symbolic of our Bologna today. It was another wonderful, unforgettable evening for everyone. We faced a very difficult team, aggressive, and determined. But we remained in the game throughout; the starting eleven played like warriors, as did those who came off the bench. I feel sorry for those who didn’t play or played less, but you can see the effort, the desire to defend, and the save from a special goalkeeper like Skorupski. It was a complete, fantastic evening.”
Regarding a banner inviting him to join the fans after the game, Motta humbly declined, stating that it should be the players who take that honor: “It’s beautiful because these are things you don’t experience every day. But I can only express gratitude for all this affection. I have to thank and I’m here to give, not to receive. I receive too much, and sometimes I feel like I don’t deserve this affection, this closeness from the fans. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart, I thank the banners and everything. But it’s not right for me to take the spotlight, it’s not fair. It’s right for my boys to take it; they are the protagonists.”
Motta continued, reiterating that the players deserve more affection than him: “I also feel a bit uncomfortable with my players because the spotlight should be on them. Along with our fans, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart, but this works really well today because of them, the fans, and these players on the field who always give their all. I reciprocate with my best always, this is what I can give to these people who deserve everything. I always give my best for the good of Bologna.”
Motta also commented on his decision to start Ndoye instead of Saelemaekers: “It’s about the group, that’s why we have these results, this style of play, this spirit. I understand that players aren’t happy when they don’t play. Always with respect for my decisions because we’ve never had problems in that sense, but above all with respect for their teammate. He’s my teammate, who works alongside me all week and deserves to play. And this makes the group stronger because this respect is the basis for working together. They respect each other in the right way because they compete, they all want to play. They know I have no interest in favoring one over the other, only interest in the good of Bologna, and that shows. Saelemaekers sees that Dan is playing and he’ll give him all the support possible, trying to encourage him and hoping to see his teammate perform at his best. When he comes on, he’ll give his all, but this applies to everyone.”
Finally, on Lykogiannis and Karlsson: “Lyko has already played in that role, he’s entering very well. Today especially, we needed him because towards the end, Cabal and Tchatchoua were attacking, with the full-backs pushing up, and we didn’t want to give them superiority. Lyko is a very responsible guy, he knows perfectly well that the defensive phase is very important. Karlsson, despite not being a pure right winger, wants to help, he’s working hard and training. Everyone did well, congratulations to the boys because they played an extraordinary game, and to the fans for this great celebration.”
