Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said the opening game against Villarreal in the Champions League is ‘already important’ and stressed the Orobici have ‘the same desire’ as they had ahead of their debut in 2019-20.
La Dea prepare for their first game in the Champions League this season, travelling to Spain for the first leg against Villarreal on Tuesday.
Manchester United and Young Boys complete Group F, and Gasperini expects a tough start against Unai Emery’s men tomorrow.
“We know what Villarreal express, especially at home,” Gasperini said at a press conference. “It will already be an important game for this Champions League.
Atalanta have only won once in three Serie A games, arriving from a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday.
“We must also take inspiration from unfortunate games such as the last League match,” Gasperini added. “The anthem of the Champions League gives great stimuli, and we must be ready, being in the third consecutive year.
“We meet very strong teams but playing in this competition is superior to all.”
As Gasperini pointed out, the Orobici have qualified for their third consecutive time and the coach remembers the first game – a 4-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb.
“We learned a lot from the debut in Zagreb,” he said. “We took a good blow but then we did some good things too.
“We have the same desire to do and learn. We have a very complicated group, more difficult than the other years. We will do our best.”
The pundits expect Atalanta and Villarreal to fight for second behind Manchester United in the group.
“Young Boys have already given the Italians problems, it’s by no means an easy group. There are only six games and there’s no margin for error.
“We will have to try to score points on all pitches and in every game.”
Atalanta haven’t been able to find their usual rhythm in recent games, but the coach disagrees that the team lack intensity.
“I disagree, the other night was not easy against a strong team like Fiorentina,” he continued. “The result was determined by other incidents for which we are still waiting for answers, also to know how to behave in the future.
“Here, we will have to play one of the best games, because Villarreal’s qualities and skills are recognised by all.
“They are a good team, with a lot of knowledge and ability to change character. They won the Europa League and that’s a good CV.
“They only lost on penalties against Chelsea in the Super Cup. For us, it’s a great honour to play in this competition.”
Unai Emery, like Pep Guardiola, is convinced facing Atalanta is like going to the dentist.
“Undoubtedly our goal is to limit the ability of these teams to exalt themselves,” Gasp added. “We continue to come to this competition with great humility.
“After this event, we have always learned excellent lessons to face the championship in the best possible way.”
Damn straight.
A loss tonight will be a serious blow, given what’s to come after. But they’ll have a decent chance of qualifying if they draw or win tonight.
But their form has been average so far, and they looked poor against Fiorentina
I know it will be tough for Atalanta but they must have away goal