The Bologna striker Santiago Castro he spoke in a press conference after the first part of the summer retreat and in view of the next very important season that will see him as a major protagonist after the farewell of Joshua Zirkzee: “I have already shown what kind of striker I am, what I want to do is just give my best for the team. Having the number 9 on my shoulders is a big responsibility but I am ready to give my all for Bologna”.
The number 9 shirt:
“For me, the number 9 means a lot. Zirkzee had a great season, I’m happy to wear this number which is the maximum for a centre forward.”
The fans’ responsibility and expectations towards themselves:
“It means a lot that people show me their affection, not only to me but also to my family. Now we’re thinking about the first day of the championship, then when the Champions League arrives we’ll start working on it, always thinking game by game.”
Its best quality:
“I like to play one-on-one and fight, I always try to give my all from the first to the last ball. I like to press and be the first defender of the team leaving everything on the pitch”.
The Champions League:
“For me it’s a responsibility to be the striker of this team. We are preparing well, we are working hard, we will do everything to be ready from the start.”
The tattoo related to Bologna:
“I like tattoos, I have too many… I wanted to write a part of the story about me. The stadium in Bologna is already part of my history, as is Velez and my family.”
Failure to leave for the Olympics:
“For me the Seleccion is everything. But in this case it went like this, unfortunately I couldn’t go, but I quickly changed the chip in my head and I’m working hard for the club.”
The hierarchies with Dallinga:
“We are working, there is no starter and a benchwarmer. The competition is healthy and is good for the team, so we can both improve and be stronger. This is the important thing, to be available, then whoever plays will play”.
Differences between Thiago Motta and Italian:
“They are similar in the intensity of their work and their goals. Now I start a little further back, but Italiano still leaves me very free like Motta. Both are helping me grow, I’m happy to have had Thiago as my first coach and now to have Italiano.”
His growth since arriving in Italy:
“In the game, in coming to play and in talking to the team. And then from a physical point of view. I feel good, I feel ready to play.”
Zirkzee’s Farewell:
“I’ve always had a great relationship with him, we got along well both on and off the pitch. He gave me a lot of confidence and told me that I’m the right person for this Bologna now.”
His anger in the field:
“It’s not that I get angry, it’s that I live it in a different way, I live football 1000%. I talk a lot, this gives me motivation, I like to provoke the opponent and talk, this gives me energy”.
Favorite role:
“In Argentina I always played as a central striker, especially in the youth teams. Then at Velez they also put me on the wing, but my qualities are better expressed up front.”
The dream of the first goal in the Champions League and the objective in terms of numbers:
“I try not to think about it… Now I’m thinking about Udinese, then Napoli and Empoli. Then we’ll think about the Champions League when the time comes, as well as the Coppa Italia. We need to keep our energy up for the next matches. I haven’t set myself a goal number. Obviously I’d like to equal Joshua, get into double figures. But I’m only thinking about the first one, in the meantime. Then little by little we’ll think about the others too.”