Gian Piero Gasperini believes success is “not a fluke” and Atalanta can become regular European contenders after thrashing Sassuolo 3-0.
“I like the spirit of the team, the way they faced this match. They were a little disappointed with the result and the performance against Napoli, but reacted straight away,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
Gian Piero Gasperini believes success is “not a fluke” and Atalanta can become regular European contenders after thrashing Sassuolo 3-0.
“I like the spirit of the team, the way they faced this match. They were a little disappointed with the result and the performance against Napoli, but reacted straight away,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“We were sharper today, and it’s not easy against a side like Sassuolo, who have quality and organisation. We dominated the match and that’s not simple.
“I don’t think my lads have to sacrifice themselves that much for the team. It’s football, you have to do some running! It’s good to see everyone participating, moving off the ball and helping to create the spaces.
“Today we were without Papu Gomez, probably our most representative player in attack, and we still won with three goals scored. Our performances against Roma and Napoli show we can fight it out with anyone.
“Now we’ve got the Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus, who are still the strongest side in Italy, and we’ll see what happens.”
The first leg of that semi-final is on Tuesday evening, so Gasp rested several big players, but still ran riot at the Mapei Stadium.
This week, Gasperini gave an interview admitting he wasn’t so sure about his future in Bergamo, because he doesn’t want top players sold every summer.
“I owe a great deal to Atalanta and the Percassi family. I am very close to them, as it’s rare to find such good people in this sport. Then there’s a technical relationship, clearly Atalanta have changed their profile over the last 18 months, and I don’t think it was a fluke.
“I believe this side can lay the foundations to always challenge for the European places. I think this form has been going too long to be considered a fluke. What I want is for Atalanta to get stronger and stronger.”