Thiago Motta: ‘Inter have weaknesses too’ | OneFootball

Serie A coach of the month Thiago Motta ‘admires’ Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, but warns ‘all teams have weaknesses’ and Bologna hope to find them in the leaders.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Saturday at 17.00 GMT.

This is a battle between the form teams in Serie A right now, as the Nerazzurri are 15 points clear at the top of the table and the Rossoblu are in fourth place after six consecutive victories.

That run of results earned Thiago Motta the award as Serie A Coach of the Month for February.

“I am happy with the award, it is down to the hard work of my staff and the players, as without them it would not be possible,” said the coach in his press conference.

Bologna held Inter to a draw earlier this season and knocked them out of the Coppa Italia, but Simone Inzaghi’s side won all 11 of their competitive matches played in 2024.

“Inter are the favourites in Serie A, they reached the Champions League Final last season, so we have great respect for our opponents. I admire Inzaghi a great deal, he has his ideas, is convinced of what he wants to see and we’ll do our best to get a positive result.

“All teams have weaknesses. There is no team that is unbeatable, although clearly at this level there are fewer weak spots.”

Few expected Bologna to even compete for a place in Europe this season, let alone in the Champions League.

“We are where we belong considering all that we’ve done so far, not just in the matches, but in training too. The lads know we have to keep the same attitude right to the end. Our fans cheer us on and we are ready for a great performance against what is at the moment the best team in the league.”

Following the 2-1 victory away to Atalanta, circa 1,000 Bologna fans flocked to the training ground to welcome the team back from Bergamo.

“I am very grateful for the affection of the supporters and proud because they recognise themselves in this team. I have trust their support will be the same even when things are not going so well.”

It will also represent the return to the Stadio Dall’Ara for Marko Arnautovic, who left Bologna for Inter very late into the summer.

“I think everyone benefited from that transfer. He wanted to go to Inter, a choice that I absolutely respect, and now is playing in the Champions League and challenging for the Scudetto. It was what he wanted.

“We in turn are happy with how our season is going, so it was the right choice all around.”

That is something Thiago Motta himself experienced when playing for Inter in the Treble-winning campaign in 2010.

“At that moment, we knew how strong our Inter team was, we all had character and above all a coach like Jose Mourinho who knew how to deal with us. When we played Chelsea over two legs, we realised that we were on the right track to win. Once you believe, it all becomes easier.

“I think today Bologna are in a good moment, our big ambition today is to give our best. The Champions League is different to Serie A, you need more consistency in a league competition.

“Against Inter we need to do everything we’ve done so far, but also something extra to compete against the favourites for the Scudetto.”

Thiago Motta has been linked with numerous top clubs, including Milan, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United and Liverpool, with a contract that only runs to June 30.

“I am 1,000 per cent focused on the Inter match,” he replied when asked about the future.

“The President is very happy, enjoying the present and so am I, without thinking too much about the future. The fans, the lads and the players are all focused on the present.”