Gian Piero Gasperini admits the 2-0 win away to Empoli gives Atalanta ‘satisfaction’ for the performance even more than the result. ‘I did not think we’d be here at this stage.’

It is the best start in the club’s history, as never before had they won eight of the opening 12 Serie A matches.

Hans Hateboer and Ademola Lookman got the goals at the Stadio Castellani, while Teun Koopmeiners saw his penalty parried by Guglielmo Vicario.

“Records are nice to have,” smiled Gasp on Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a good game, perhaps on a technical level one of our best. I already got the sensation against Sassuolo that we were improving, then we didn’t do well against Lazio, so needed a strong performance as well as a result today.

“Perhaps we started the season more clinical and focused on the results, but I saw improvements in the quality of the football. This is a match that aside from the result, also gives us satisfaction. There were other wins that weren’t so pleasing, but it’s good to feel like we fully deserved it.

“It’s not true that the more strikers you have on the field, the more goals you get. We are seeking the right balance to create chances and have more men pushing forward from all areas. Duvan Zapata is recovering, Luis Muriel was suspended today after two fouls in two years.

“This Rasmus Hojlund is very impressive, he’s a thorn in the side of defenders, very physical and still so young. He’s one to watch.”

Lookman tried to take the penalty from the hands of Koopmeiners before Gasperini told them the Dutchman was first in line.

“I asked Koopmeiners to take it and then he missed! Lookman has scored five goals and always gave a strong contribution to the team. He has technique, pace, is a player any coach would be happy with. We realised pretty quickly what he was capable of, he was convincing from the start.”

Runaway leaders Napoli visit Bergamo next weekend in what should be a fascinating clash. Is Gasperini scared of this Napoli?

“No fear, but great admiration. They are an extraordinary team, brought in great talents and there is this marvellous enthusiasm around them. Mind you, last season it looked like that too and then fell away, so they’ll be crossing their fingers the same doesn’t happen again.”

Atalanta are currently in second place and surpassing all expectations for this season.

“I honestly did not think we’d be at the top at this stage, that was excessive. It is a bit of an odd campaign, we had these doubts over the summer whether to focus on even more young players, or to maintain the core of the old guard. It was a problem for me choosing between all these talented players, they did well to help me make those choices and to avoid creating tension in the locker room.

“We are all together trying to work for the good of Atalanta. The more we do that, the longer we can spend in the top places, the more we can help young players develop and also give satisfaction to those older players.”

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