Gian Piero Gasperini warned Atalanta need to kill games off after the win in Cagliari, reveals they tried to sign Gigi Buffon and why he won’t move to the Premier League. ‘I’d be richer, but less happy.’
After fumbling a lead in stoppages to draw 2-2 with Manchester United in the Champions League midweek, La Dea ran the risk of doing it again in Sardinia this evening.
Mario Pasalic and Duvan Zapata had scored around a temporary Joao Pedro equaliser and they clung on for the three points.
“We suffered too much considering the kind of game it was,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“We controlled the match for such a long time, had so many scoring opportunities, but when you don’t kill games off when you have the chance, you do risk a late equaliser.
“It was a good performance and we should be satisfied with that, but if we can be a bit more clinical in front of goal, we won’t suffer as much.”
Atalanta had been awarded a penalty, but the decision was revoked after the VAR on-field review, as Andrea Carboni kicked the ball through Pasalic’s legs.
“I took what they told me, they have 20 or more cameras covering everything and said he got the ball. Seeing it on the replay myself, he got a bit of everything, ball and man.”
La Dea have picked up 16 of their 22 Serie A points so far away from home and Gasp does not see it being a coincidence.
“When you play away, there’s a bit more space opening up for you. At the same time, we were unlucky at home, with Udinese scoring at the 92nd minute. We’ve got to be more consistent if we want to stay in the top spots.”
Gasperini went back to the midweek 2-2 draw with Manchester United in the Champions League, where he joked with Cristiano Ronaldo after the stoppage-time equaliser.
“Although we were truly disappointed not to win, we were faced with the moment of magic of a maestro. I am fascinated by great players, even if they are opponents. I would’ve loved to work with someone like Ronaldo, especially as my team often had the best attack in the league. Maybe just for a few games…
“We did try for two years running to get Gigi Buffon, but he wouldn’t come.”
This was Gasperini’s 200th Serie A career victory and he has been linked with a potential move to the Premier League.
“I hope to enjoy many more victories, as I don’t remember a single easy one. I am happy in Italy, in Bergamo, and lifestyle counts for a lot.
“At times I think about it, and I might be richer, but less happy. I don’t just live on the pitch.”
#SerieA | Le parole di Gasperini dopo #CagliariAtalantahttps://t.co/PSACHaIEHn
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) November 6, 2021
‘’At times I think about it, and I might be richer, but less happy. I don’t just live on the pitch.”
What a healthy attitude.
Hear, hear. It says something about how the English leagues have changed with managerial sackings & the media frenzy if Mr Gasperini makes such a quote. We left Europe (Brexit) but our league has never been more ‘European’ (!) in terms of sackings & the media (Solskjaer, current situation)
Gasperini has done a fantastic job at Atalanta, admired by many in England, in the same way Rodgers has done at Leicester. Even better because he has broken into the top 4 in Serie A. Stability means a lot and might explain why Atalanta are where they are.