Gian Piero Gasperini was happy to end a week of uncertainty for Atalanta following their 6-2 win over Udinese.
La Dea’s match against Torino on Thursday was called off due to a COVID outbreak in the Granata squad and it was unclear if the Bergamo side would play against Udinese this evening. Luckily for Gasperini they did, taking home all three points in an electric 6-2 thrashing.
Speaking with Sky Sports Italia after the game, Gasperini spoke about the result in Udine.
“It was a week of absolute uncertainty, we didn’t know if and when the match would be played. But I think in the end it’s the best thing to play.
“There was the risk of thinking we were playing against a team of youngsters, but if you look at the number of absentees, maybe we had more, it’s like that for all teams.”
The Atalanta coach then looked ahead to the upcoming Serie A match against Inter next week.
“It will be a high-level game. Inter are doing very well and we’re in a good moment despite the two stoppages at the end of 2021. Today we started well, we have the Coppa Italia now, a competition we are very fond of.
“Afterwards we’ll think about Inter, I’m not thinking about the Scudetto but I want my team to compete with the team that is the best at the moment.”
Atalanta currently sit 4th in the Serie A table after 20 games, two points behind third place Napoli, who have played one more game. La Dea are hoping to continue their run of Champions League appearances but will have to beat out Roma and Juventus for the top four finish.
The Bergamo side will face Venezia in the Round of 16 of the Coppa Italia on January 12 before facing the Nerazzurri on January 16. Following that game they will play Lazio, another difficult and attacking team.
Gasperini su Udinese-Atalanta: "Giusto giocare, alla fine avevamo più assenze noi…" https://t.co/abXM3zlstX
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) January 9, 2022