Gian Piero Gasperini saw ‘the best performance of the season so far’ from Atalanta to beat Cagliari and reiterates European competition ‘gives teams more than it takes away.’
La Dea were coming off a 2-0 Europa League victory against Polish champions Rakow on Thursday evening, but showed no signs of fatigue as they comfortably swept Cagliari aside 2-0.
“We did very well in the first half, probably our best performance of the season so far, perhaps also because of the enthusiasm from Thursday’s game,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“There was a dip in the middle, but even in a difficult moment, we managed to remain solid and take the win home. We did not allow that many chances against Fiorentina either, our goalkeepers have not made many saves this season, but there were situations with errors.
“Today we got nothing wrong, we kept the right concentration and the defence is working well. The moments in Florence and Frosinone were the exception, not the rule.”
Charles De Ketelaere already seems like a completely different player to the one seen at Milan last season and was again involved with an assist for Lookman’s goal.
“His first half was wonderful, always showed great quality, was a reference point for the attack and his assist on the goal was also very good. Lookman is in a good moment of form too, he had several attempts in the first half and was unlucky to hit the woodwork. He is fast when dribbling and taking men on, has a good shot, so all he needs to focus on is making fewer misplaced passes.”
Substitute Mario Pasalic scored his 50th goal in the top five European Leagues this afternoon, locking down the result in the final stages and representing the old guard in Bergamo.
“Apart from the attack that was renovated and the introduction of Sead Kolasinac in defence, the squad has remained largely the same. We know what we can expect from them and hope as time goes on we can get the new players fully integrated.”
Gasperini was always adamant that playing UEFA competitions midweek is a boost to teams rather than a drain on resources.
“I had said last season when we were not in Europe, this tournament give teams more than it takes away. It helps raise the level of the team, it helps the players gain experience, but the risk is that you are more likely to have injuries.
“It’s a very tight league and if you are not at 100 per cent, you risk an upset.”
This was a battle of two of the oldest coaches currently in Serie A, Gasperini and Claudio Ranieri, who can still teach the new bosses some tricks.
“What matters is ideas. There are economic aspects too, but for the most part in football, it is ideas than win.”