Verdi: “I want to match and better last season’s form”

After physical tests at the Isokinetic clinic, Simone Verdi was interviewed live by Sky Sport 24. “The year that’s about to begin will be the most difficult for me as I have to match my past performances from last season,” he said. “At Bologna, everybody counts on me and I want to pay people back for their expectations. Bologna is the place where I’ve had faith placed in me and where I’ve had consistency after some difficult season. I wanted nothing else but to sign a four-year contract for this club and now it’s up to me to establish myself and do better. We’re ready to prepare for the new season, lots is expected from us and we’ll go to our training camp in Castelrotto on Wednesday. In the next three weeks, we’ll look to get to know one another on the pitch and then performances on the pitch will start to speak for themselves. The Italy coach expected to see me in the form I showed before my injury and that was the Verdi who deserved to be called up. It’s easy for me to say that I’m dreaming of the World Cup like my teammates, but it all depends on performances. My position? Behind the striker or as a winger but it doesn’t really matter, it’s up to the manager and I don’t have any issues. I don’t set objectives for how many goals I should score. The team comes first and personal objectives are secondary. If the collective clicks then the individuals emerge and benefit, it’s difficult otherwise.”