Gian Piero Gasperini again refused to speak to the media, as Atalanta director Umberto Marino maintains they ‘deserved more’ from the 1-0 defeat to Roma.
La Dea were beaten at the Stadio Olimpico by a Tammy Abraham goal, meaning they’ve lost both home and away Serie A meetings with Roma this season.
Once again, coach Gasperini refused to attend the post-match interviews and press conference, even though this time there did not appear to be any particularly contentious refereeing decisions.
“It is his decision,” director Marino told DAZN.
“I was looking at the statistics and Atalanta had 65 per cent possession, which is by no means easy away to Roma.
“We deserved more from this game, but unfortunately did not make the most of the chances we did create. I saw a team that was really determined to get an equaliser and came really close.”
Merih Demiral was playing as a centre-forward in stoppages, a defender showing the importance of losing Duvan Zapata to injury, while Luis Muriel was only fit enough to come off the bench today.
“Duvan Zapata’s quality is beyond doubt, it was difficult to find spaces in the final minutes, so we used Demiral’s physicality upfront.”
This game was a head-to-head for fifth place, but now Atalanta turn their focus towards the Europa League Round of 16 against Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday.
“At this stage of the competition, the Europa League is practically a Champions League,” added Marino.
“These are strong opponents in beautiful stadiums. We need a little more luck to stay in the running for the Champions League spots and that means starting to pick up points against sides like Roma.”
#SerieA, @Atalanta_BC | Le parole del direttore generale #Marino dopo #RomaAtalantahttps://t.co/HqnmO7GZLM
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) March 5, 2022
Bravo Marino
Gasperini is such a bad loser, it’s hilarious!