Thiago Motta ‘could not be prouder’ of Bologna battle | OneFootball

Thiago Motta ‘could not be prouder’ of Bologna after a 0-0 draw at Torino, as they can be ‘pretty or go into battle,’ but again postpones talk of his future.

It was another stalemate for the Rossoblu at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, their fourth in the last five rounds, and Toro had the best opportunities to score with Antonio Sanabria off the woodwork and a couple of big Lukasz Skorupski saves.

“It is impossible for me to be prouder of these lads. It was another fantastic performance against a complicated team, we fought for every ball and that is what we wanted. Other teams came here and suffered a great deal, so today we needed a battle and the players showed again they are ready for anything,” Thiago Motta told Sky Sport Italia.

“When they need to play pretty football, they do, and they can also go into battle when required.”

A victory here would’ve allowed Bologna to at least temporarily leapfrog Juventus into third place, but instead this recent slowdown opens up the possibility that the chasing pack can close on them in the Champions League battle.

Nonetheless, considering the way they started the campaign and the expectations around them, nobody saw this run coming.

“When I think back to the last game of pre-season in the summer against AZ Alkmaar, I remember their faces in the locker room. Now to find ourselves here is marvellous. We achieved something historic for this club, the city, these fans, to get into Europe after 22 years is fantastic.

“The credit goes to everyone, from the President to all the directors, those who work behind the scenes and of course these players. They have done something extraordinary, we are three games off the end of the season, we are in the final couple of kilometres of the marathon, now we want to try to go all the way and qualify for the Champions League.”

The run-in is not too reassuring for Bologna, as they face Napoli away, Juventus at home and Genoa away to close out the campaign.

However, Roma and Atalanta are both in the Europa League semi-finals, so have distractions that Thiago Motta can avoid.

Thiago Motta on past and future

The Italo-Brazilian coach is still only 41 years of age, so how has Thiago Motta been moulded by his career so far?

“Difficulties help you to grow and improve. Coaches all need time to put their work into practice, to create a collective approach to the game within the team. All coaches need time, but we don’t always have it, as sport is quite rightly judged on results.

“My first season was with the PSG youth team and we did really well. Spezia was an achievement too, I look back over all my teams and players, they were like children to me. The start with Bologna was difficult, it was a change, but since things started going on the right track, it is satisfying to see the side play attacking football. At the start of the season, some teams might’ve looked stronger, but we faced them with our style of football and our attitude.

“I am proud and happy because these lads understand sometimes you can play at your best, and other times like this evening you need to adapt to bring home a result.”

Thiago Motta’s contract only runs to June 30, so he was asked about Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen after achieving an unexpected Bundesliga title, but it failed to get the response Sky Sport Italia were looking for.

“Xabi Alonso made his choice, he had his reasons. We reached a moment where I have to underline we achieved something unexpected and unimaginable. We want to go all the way and qualify for the Champions League. That is the primary issue, my future or the future of individual players is irrelevant,” added Thiago Motta.

“At the right moment, we will sit down and see if we have the conditions to continue together or not continue together, but I will always do what is right for the club.”