The new Bologna midfielder Tommaso Pobega spoke at a press conference:
"I’m feeling good. The last six months of last season were challenging, but I started this season well and did my preparation in Milan. This move is a very important step in my career. I’m joining a great club that had a fantastic season, qualified for the Champions League, and wants to keep playing well. I hope to help the team in the best possible way toward this goal. The relationship with the club developed quickly; my agent had discussions with the director, and then the meetings followed. I immediately opened up because I see a strong, healthy group with a desire to improve and take on challenges. These qualities are what attracted me the most."
Bologna will play in the Champions League... Pobega commented:
"The Champions League is every player’s dream. You compete against great teams, and it gives you incredible visibility. These are really the matches you train your whole life to play. Reuniting with the coach is personally very interesting; he helped me grow at La Spezia. He gets his teams to play well and helps individuals within the team contribute their best. I aim to keep improving. Italiano? It was my first year in Serie A, and he gave me a lot in terms of understanding how to manage matches and the league. He helped me grow in terms of gameplay and confidence... It’s no longer my first season, nor his. However, the style of play I see is still the same, precise, with the same principles. Which position do I like playing the most? The one that helps the team the most. Over the years, I’ve played as a winger, a left-sided midfielder, and sometimes as a holding midfielder in a two-man midfield... My favorite role is the one that serves the team best in the match. I don’t hide the fact that I like to make runs into the box, filling the area and trying to get a shot off, but I adapt to what’s needed for the game and the team."
He added:
"Two years at Milan are an understatement because I started there at 14 when I moved. I’ve always considered it a second family, and I still thank everyone who’s part of it. Professionally, though, it’s important to make choices, and this is a crucial one for my career. I’m very happy with this decision."
What kind of team have you found? Pobega:
"My first connection was with Erlic, who was my teammate at Spezia. But I quickly also connected with De Silvestri, Orsolini, and Fabbian, people I had already spoken to as opponents. What impressed me the most was the overall welcome; it’s an open group that immediately tries to include everyone. I’ve only been here for a short time, but even during the first away match and in training, I immediately saw a lot of effort to make teammates feel comfortable, so we’re ready to play together. A goal? Scoring is always a good thing to wish for. It was a special match; we fell behind right away... I hope there will be many goals wearing this jersey."
Why did you choose Bologna? Pobega said:
"My decision was influenced by the fact that Bologna is a great club, the team plays well, and the coach has clear ideas. Many factors were crucial in my growth plan. There are many goals we can have, and I will work day by day toward them. If a successful season comes, which we all hope for, then these achievements will be welcome too. First come the team’s achievements, and the rest will follow.
Where would you like to improve the most?
"Certainly, one area where I need to grow, which the coach pointed out to me at Spezia, is game management. You shouldn’t force plays when it’s not necessary but instead take the right risks at the right time. This is a step I need to take to grow as a player. I like to define myself as generous; I always try to put the team’s needs first, and that gives me a lot of personal satisfaction. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, it’s often the little things that contribute to the final result. Over the years, this trait has always set me apart. My idol? Outside of football, my idol is LeBron James. I love basketball, both the NBA and Italian basketball. Historically, Bologna has always had a strong culture. Trieste is also very connected to basketball, and LeBron has always been an idol for me, both on and off the court, especially for all the charitable work he does. In football, my idol since I was a child has always been Schweinsteiger. I watched him in the national team and dreamed of becoming like him."
