As Bologna beat Frosinone 2-1 at home last weekend, chants aimed at Thiago Motta: ‘Take us to Europe’ began to reverb around the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, with the win lifting the Rossoblù closer to the top six. But the coach is aware of the consistency it will take his players to maintain if they are to end up qualifying for a continental tournament next campaign. He instead urged his side to focus on Sassuolo first.
Motta gave an in-depth interview (via TuttoBolognaweb) ahead of the clash at the Mapei Stadium against the Neroverdi.
“If there are expectations and enthusiasm, it is thanks to the work of the players. We must try to use the enthusiasm well, nothing has changed for us. Who will play is not important, it must be equally significant to win as a team. We cannot afford to stop. Everything that has been done good is valid up to today, tomorrow will tell what we are capable of, but the present requires us to improve in all aspects of the game.”
Any fixture against Alessio Dionisi’s men is no walk in the park, and Motta realizes the work it will take to oust the home team.
“I expect a strong Sassuolo, they played important games, winning against Inter and Juve, they have a quality squad and remain a very difficult team to face because they play good football, they regroup and try to limit the opposition’s play. They are also very dangerous in the recovery phase.”
Motta warned Bologna supporters not to get ahead of themselves, with a large majority of the season yet to unfurl.
“Here at the club, like me, we always think about the next match and that’s it. The fans have the right to dream. And if you can dream, it’s thanks to the team’s work. Everyone is giving 120% in every training session. I want to underline the word work, which is the basic concept of our team. A message to the fans? In football there are two fundamental things: one the players, two the fans. We play for them. We have everything for give a good performance and it is our obligation to give our best.”
On an eight-match unbeaten streak, Bologna will seek to register their first away win of the season when they visit Sassuolo, having drawn all four encounters on the road this campaign so far.
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