Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini pointed out Marko Arnautovic as a dangerous addition to the ‘quick’ Bologna attack and admitted the Orobici ended up in a ‘competitive’ Champions League group.
Gasperini’s men started with a 2-1 win over Torino in Serie A, but didn’t convince in the first round of fixtures.
“We didn’t play a great match in Turin and we recognised it, but I don’t think it was a matter of preparation,” Gasperini said at a press conference.
“We weren’t able to express ourselves in the best way, also due to the difficulties our opponents created for us.”
But the Orobici now prepare for the first home game against Bologna at the Gewiss Stadium and the coach hopes to see a different game.
“I hope that tomorrow we will be able to express ourselves better,” he said. “It will be a complicated match, Bologna have values, they are a proactive team that create a lot and have a quick attack.
“They have also added Arnautovic to that attack.”
In the Champions League, Atalanta are drawn in a group with Villarreal, Manchester United and Young Boys.
“The Champions League is always a particularly difficult competition, and a very competitive group awaits us,” Gasperini said.
“But that’s right. Villarreal are a great team, Manchester United don’t need a presentation and Young Boys are not an easy team to meet.
“They are big teams, every game will be difficult.”