Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini tried to separate out the Coppa Italia Final from tomorrow’s fourth-place showdown with Lazio. “Every target can be reached.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
Gasp rejects the idea this is a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia Final, where these teams will meet again at the Stadio Olimpico on May 15.
Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini tried to separate out the Coppa Italia Final from tomorrow’s fourth-place showdown with Lazio. “Every target can be reached.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
Gasp rejects the idea this is a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia Final, where these teams will meet again at the Stadio Olimpico on May 15.
“This has nothing to do with the Coppa and is all about our Serie A objectives. With four rounds to go and the table so tight, every point is crucial,” said the Coach in his Press conference.
“Tomorrow’s game is part of almost a mini-season, with so many clubs and their campaign targets in the balance. We’ll live even if we don’t qualify for the Champions League, but we’d still love to do it. Economic considerations are one thing, but sport is another.
“We’re in good shape, apart from Rafael Toloi whose season is over, as Musa Barrow, Robin Gosens and Josip Ilicic are all recovering well.
“Lazio have their specific characteristics, which we know well, having faced them many times over the last few years. Their victory at Sampdoria relaunched their ambitions and we have an advantage over Lazio in the table, but the next few rounds will be very important.
“We have to play this game to the best of our abilities. Every target can be reached, we’ve been saying it for weeks now, but when you reach this stage of the campaign, the odds are shortened considerably.”
Roma Coach Claudio Ranieri caused controversy yesterday with his comments suggesting Lazio could “lay down” for Atalanta in order to scupper the Giallorossi’s Champions League ambitions.
“I think people wanted to put a bit of spice in there. We are the real objectives of that controversy that comes from all sides and all we can do is play,” replied Gasp.
“It is going to be incredibly tight, as I think in the end it could be only two or three points in it from Champions League to Europa League to being empty-handed. Anyone could go from the maximum achievement to nothing.
“The positive thing about this is that everyone has something to play for and are happy to go out there and fight for the result, even those who don’t necessarily have as much motivation.”