Gian Piero Gasperini feels Atalanta deserved their Europa League qualification against Sturm Graz, but again keeps a low profile. ‘Do people think we are supposed to challenge for the Scudetto?’
La Dea knew they needed a win here to secure qualification after fumbling a lead against 10 men for the 2-2 draw in Austria.
It took a while to break them down, but Berat Djimsiti eventually fired in after a chaotic corner, while Mario Pasalic missed a sitter and forced a stunning late save too.
“The first half was pretty tough, especially early on when they were pressing hard and we made a few too many misplaced passes. We were also too slow with the tempo.
“I think the second half was a very different game and we did enough to deserve the victory,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
The Bergamo Boys are now three points clear of Sporting CP at the top of the group and almost guaranteed that first place which would mean by-passing the February play-offs against a side that drops down from the Champions League.
A draw against Sporting in Bergamo will be enough to lock that down and it is already the first time Atalanta have secured qualification with two games to spare.
“We still have a game against Sporting, who were the team tipped to top the group when the draw was made. We want to take top spot and will use the best players to achieve that.”
Mitchel Bakker has been a bit of a flop so far this season, but was given his first start this evening as Matteo Ruggeri is injured.
“We always played with Ruggeri and Zappacosta on the wings. Bakker did well tonight, he was in good physical shape and showed quality too. We need those options to be ready when needed, as it has always been the usual players in those roles.
“Bakker only speaks to the Dutch players, but he is slowly starting to understand our language.”
Gasperini was asked where Atalanta can improve and as usual insisted they are already going above and beyond their duty.
“Many continue to ask me this question. I don’t know what people expect of Atalanta, are we supposed to challenge for the Scudetto? We lost to Inter, but considering the way we played, that was not bad at all. I do not feel that we are in that position of being Scudetto contenders, we are in a very tough league.
“I do not look at the table, I try to focus on the way we play and I feel we are making excellent progress in Serie A and the Europa League.”
Gasperini outlined the key figures in his team and notably there was only one new signing, defender Sead Kolasinac, in the list.
“Our nucleus is through the centre, Ederson, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Djimsiti and Kolasinac, those players I struggle to do without really, they are the core of the team. If we can improve with the wingbacks and have more alternatives, also in attack where Muriel came on well and we are waiting for De Ketelaere, then we can raise the bar.
“Kolasinac seems as if he has been playing with us for a long time, both for his character and his defensive capabilities. We needed a player who was strong in the tackles, in the air, who is not naïve. He played for many years in England, with Arsenal, so this really was a signing that strengthened our defence.
“It is fortunate that he settled in so quickly, as we are a bit short-staffed back there with Palomino’s injury. Fortunately, Kolasinac is a bit of a Highlander, he keeps going even playing every game.”