In the Bologna of wonders, flying towards the Champions League, there is a natural leader, now invested with the responsibility of captain after Lewis Ferguson’s serious injury. His name is Remo Freuler, he is 32 years old, as well as being a member of the rossoblù he is a cornerstone of Switzerland, the national team with which he played 65 matches (8 goals) and of which he promises to be a sure protagonist at the next European Championships (Yakin’s selection was drawn in Group A: he will make his debut on 15 June in Cologne against Marco Rossi’s Hungary; on 19 June, again in Cologne, they will face Scotland and on 23 June, in Frankfurt, the hosts Germany). Freuler enjoys excellent chances of appearing in the final phase of the continental championship having Bologna’s historic qualification for the 2024/2025 Champions League in his pocket.
This morning in Corriere dello Sport Claudio Beneforti acutely noted: “Commander Remo, for what his role is, has certainly contributed to instilling in the minds of the rossoblùs that winning mentality which has made Atalanta an important reality in our football”. That Atalanta where Freuler landed in January 2016, brought to Bergamo by Giovanni Sartori, who signed another textbook coup, finding in Lucerne the phosphorus and lungs midfielder who, with de Roon, would become the pillar of the midfield for almost seven seasons by Gasperini (260 appearances, 21 goals). And when Toloi was forced to stop due to injury, it was no coincidence that the captaincy passed to him. Now and always not by chance, history repeats itself in Bologna, where Sartori took him as soon as he learned of Freuler’s desire to return to Serie A after his experience at Nottingham Forest.
Once again, the Motta & Sartori synergy has signed another masterpiece, in the year of the Bologna masterpiece. Freuler combines technical skills, vision of the game, experience and the personality of someone who doesn’t need to raise his voice to be heard by his teammates. He is an authentic example of professional seriousness and dedication to the Bologna cause. He is the on-field coach that every coach would wish they had. It’s understandable why Motta is so happy to have him.
