Gian Piero Gasperini expects any other club with Atalanta’s packed calendar would cause ‘controversy,’ but tries to look on the bright side with Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman against Milan.
It is going to be a tough few days for La Dea, who play Milan on Sunday at 19.45 GMT, then Inter again at San Siro in the rescheduled Week 21 match on Wednesday, followed by Bologna next weekend.
The Europa League first leg Round of 16 tie is on March 6, then Juventus in Serie A, Sporting again, Fiorentina, Napoli and on April 3 the Coppa Italia semi-final with Fiorentina.
“The mess was made with the Supercoppa Italiana fixtures in January, that is what caused the pile-up in fixtures,” said Gasperini in his press conference.
“It was already evident to us that this would happen, because Atalanta had already qualified for the other competitions. It is something we cannot change, so we must adapt and take it one game at a time.
“That’s not to say this is normal, because it isn’t, and if it had happened to another club I can only imagine the controversy that would’ve caused. Never mind, we take on this burden and keep going.
“At least we have one advantage: if a game goes well, we have confidence going into the next, and if it goes badly, we won’t have time to be upset.”
Bologna already beat Verona 2-0 last night, so the pressure is on Atalanta to win or lose fourth place, while Milan were in action on Thursday with the Europa League play-off.
Meanwhile, these sides also met in the Coppa Italia quarter-final, Atalanta eliminating Milan 2-1 in January.
“Milan remain a very strong team, regardless of their defeat to Monza, as before that they had a run of results that took them almost to second place. Matches between our teams tend to have a lot of scoring opportunities, so I don’t see it ending 0-0. It will all depend on how much each side manages to resist the other’s attacks.”
A player who will certainly have all eyes on him is De Ketelaere, who flopped at Milan and has flourished on loan with Atalanta under Gasperini’s guidance.
“De Ketelaere is in his best moment of form right now, he is on the right track, but has definite room for improvement. He has regained confidence and that is already a good sign.”
There is also a boost for La Dea with the return of Lookman from Africa Cup of Nations duty, where Nigeria lost the Final to the Ivory Coast.
“His return is another reinforcement for us, he looked good in training yesterday and the pain from his injury was much better. He is ready to play tomorrow.”