Gian Piero Gasperini is starting to believe Atalanta ‘can have a good season’ after they flattened Monza 3-0, as putting faith in Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere is paying off.
La Dea were coming off a surprise defeat to Frosinone, so knew they had to prove a point against Monza and did it admirably, emerging with a comfortable 3-0 result.
Ederson’s opener was followed by a Scamacca brace, while Scamacca and Teun Koopmeiners also had goals disallowed for offside and handball respectively.
“I don’t know how much we have reinforced the squad this summer, as I tend to be cautious in that area, but tonight’s game makes me think we can have a good season,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“We above all renovated the team in attack with young, talented lads, but the squad maintained its basic structure. Scamacca allows us to be stronger in the air and that can be a useful alternative way of attacking, especially against teams that are clammed up. I hope he can become the first choice centre-forward for Italy.”
Duvan Zapata was the last to leave for Torino on transfer deadline day and this does seem like a watershed moment for Gasperini’s tenure.
“When we said goodbye, I did feel like it was the end of an era, but another opens with great enthusiasm. I hope that Zapata does extraordinary things in his career.”
The coach has always been reticent to discuss targets, so when asked if Atalanta can challenge for the Scudetto, he shrugged it off.
“Our primary objective is to try to play good football and make our fans happy. We need a joyous atmosphere around us, that is what allows us to stand out.”
It is hoped that atmosphere will also get the best out of De Ketelaere, who had struggled so much with his confidence at Milan, earning this move to Bergamo on loan with an option to buy.
“De Ketelaere was signed by Milan when half of Europe wanted him, let’s not forget. He had a difficult season, but he learned a lot in his first year at a big club. What he finds here is the utmost faith, because we do really believe in him.”
There was also a veteran snapped up in the transfer window for free, specifically defender Sead Kolasinac.
“That was an intuition from our director of sport D’Amico. He is 30 years old, so not as young as the players Atalanta usually sign, but he has experience and showed great character already in his new surroundings.”