Thiago Motta on Gasperini inspiration and Bologna ‘credit with referees’ | OneFootball

Thiago Motta is ready to face his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini in a Champions League showdown between Bologna and Atalanta, but they are bickering over who had the worst treatment from referees.

It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on Sunday at 17.00 GMT.

This is a pure head-to-head for fourth place in Serie A, as only two points separate them going into this clash.

Gasperini was Thiago Motta’s coach at Genoa and inevitably influenced his style of football, which is now flourishing at Bologna.

“There is certainly some influence, especially as I had so many wonderful experiences with him in training and working methods, the strength he transmits to the squad every day,” said Thiago Motta in a press conference.

“I have only admiration for the consistency he’s had with Atalanta and I learned a great deal from him. However, this is not about Gasp against Thiago Motta, but Atalanta against Bologna. The lads are the real protagonists of this sport, I do not see a competition between the coaches.”

Atalanta are coming off back-to-back games played at San Siro, drawing 1-1 with Milan and then losing 4-0 amid controversy to Inter.

Gasperini and the Atalanta directors complained about the refereeing in that fixture, but Bologna are not concerned it could have some influence on the officials going forward.

“I am not worried, they will play their best game, so will we and so will the referees. If we talk about ‘credit’ in terms of refereeing errors, then Bologna have enough credit for 10 years, but there’s no point complaining,” responded Thiago Motta.

“Atalanta are a top level team, they started well against Inter, but once you go behind there, it’s difficult. Both Atalanta and Bologna aim to play good football and entertain the fans.

“La Dea are dangerous in so many ways, just look at Teun Koopmeiners and the way he can shoot from distance, the crosses from wing-back to wing-back, the high press to pounce on opposition errors. They have the mentality of their coach.

“This is not just a team that reached the top levels, they have maintained their presence there with Juventus, Inter and Roma, so that is the most difficult thing.”

Alexis Saelemaekers is fully fit after a knock, so only Adama Soumaoro remains on the treatment table for the Rossoblu.

“We need to be quick on the transition to avoid conceding goals. Giovanni Fabbian understands how to attack the space, that is a talent of his and makes him difficult for opposition defenders to read. We also have a striker like Joshua Zirkzee who opens up those spaces.”