The interview with 'Sport Mediaset'. Italiano's assessment: "At the top in the championship with the Champions effect"

From the experience in Champions League to future goals, passing through some of the key men this season. It is a Vincenzo Italiano all-round what his story told Bologna to the microphones of Sport Mediaset, with the rossoblù coach who took stock of the first part of the season and in particular the growth of his team: "We were good at coming out in the championship after a difficult period. We had the ability to emerge in the championship, despite the expenditure of energy in the Champions League, and obtain important victories and now we are behind the strongest". Italiano then spoke about his personal experience in the top European club competition and what difficulties his boys encountered: "What impressed me was the pace and intensity and the great strength that these teams have, which you can see when they take to the field, putting personality and quality into every play. We found a very tough group. We met all the best. They all advanced to the round except Shakhtar. If we had won against them we could have had further momentum, but in the end it was a good journey and I think it also gave us a hand to grow in the championship".

The Bologna coach then also returned to the exclusion of From Silvestri from the Champions list and on how the captain of the rossoblù has been close to the team and is an example every day on and off the pitch: "Yes, it hurt me to exclude him. It was something that had already been planned. Lollo knew it and despite everything he was always with the team, he followed the entire journey we made in the Champions League and you all saw what a professional he is. He shows that even at this age he can be decisive. In the locker room he is an example, everyone follows him".

The Argentines are also pushing this Bologna, with the millennials Dominguez e Castro who are proving to be decisive: "Dominguez is a huge surprise, he is coming out, he has personality and he is not afraid of anything. He is a golden boy, I think he will be able to carve out an important space for himself in the future too. Castro? He is only 20 years old, the way he trains and the hunger he has he can become a top player".

Gianluca Sepe