Gian Piero Gasperini refused to speak to the media about the refereeing and VAR, but the Atalanta coach did hint at an ‘anomalous’ situation. ‘Inter might’ve won anyway, but at least it would’ve been a real match.’
Notably, the coach did not go to the post-match television interviews following a 4-0 defeat at San Siro and only sat down for the press conference.
“It degenerated into more of a training session than a game towards the end. I don’t even think the third goal would be given in a training session,” said Gasperini.
“I had the impression we are in good shape, we did very well in the first half against a strong Inter side. The result is perplexing to anyone who saw the match, but we are ready for the next.”
La Dea had been unbeaten in 11 official games and on Sunday held Milan to a 1-1 draw in this stadium thanks to a Teun Koopmeiners penalty awarded for handball.
Gasp had said then that he was not in favour of such soft decisions using VAR, so it is safe to imagine how he felt about two calls against Inter, when an Aleksei Miranchuk handling offence saw the Charles De Ketelaere opener disallowed, then Hans Hateboer’s handball led to the Lautaro Martinez penalty.
That incident, with Marco Carnesecchi parrying and Federico Dimarco turning in the rebound, effectively ended the game by putting Inter 3-0 up after the Matteo Darmian and Lautaro Martinez goals.
Davide Frattesi added a fourth by nodding in the Alexis Sanchez free kick.
“I only talk about the referees after I’ve won. Inter might’ve won anyway, but at least it would’ve been a real match.
“It might affect your confidence in us, but it won’t affect our own. We played against a great Inter side, in a very anomalous match, there is no time to think negatively. Did you not sense it was anomalous? Maybe it was just me…”
Gasp started substituting his stars after the third goal, because this weekend is the biggest game of their season so far, the head-to-head with fourth-placed Bologna.
They are two points behind Thiago Motta’s side and now only two clear of Roma in sixth.
“We are in all three competitions, two points off Bologna and on Sunday there’s a head-to-head. For the Champions League race it’s between us, Bologna, Roma, Lazio, Napoli, Fiorentina and maybe Torino as well. Milan are already far ahead, I am talking about those who are battling for position.
“We know that for some teams Europe is a fundamental target for the season, whereas for us it is the maximum achievement.”
#SerieA | @Atalanta_BC, le parole di #Gasperini in conferenza stampa dopo la sconfitta contro l'@Inter: "Partita degenerata per gli episodi arbitrali" https://t.co/HAsPhqD4QN
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) February 28, 2024