Soccer-Bologna president blasts 'pitiful' performance after 4-0 defeat

Bologna president Joey Saputo barred coach Filippo Inzaghi from talking to the media and blasted his team's performance as pitiful after they lost 4-0 at home against next-to-bottom Frosinone on Sunday in Serie A. "I have to talk and let off steam," said Saputo as he took Inzaghi's place in the post-match news conference. "I know that the fans sometimes turn against the directors but today, as president, I have to say that the team was pitiful. It is something that I never expected to see.

"We lost without showing any character and I'm very disappointed with the way we played." Bologna, two places off the bottom with 14 points, are without a win in their last 14 league matches and only one point ahead of Frosinone.

As Italian media reported that former Fiorentina, Sampdoria and AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was being lined up, Saputo said he would take a decision on Inzaghi's future on Monday. He also warned the players they would have to put in more effort.

"If the players want to stay here they have to give a lot more," he added. "Until now I have never gone against the players but I cannot accept how we played. I apologise to our fans who suffered through that and were subjected to that performance, it's not the Bologna that I want to see." (Writing by Brian Homewood; editing by Clare Fallon)