Gian Piero Gasperini is in his seventh season with Atalanta and back in the race for a Champions League spot after beating Roma 3-1. ‘I have found an ideal environment to work in.’
La Dea struggled to break down the Giallorossi at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo, but found the way through with Mario Pasalic’s left-footed volley.
Rafael Toloi turned in after a corner to double their lead and Lorenzo Pellegrini got Roma back into it, but less than 60 seconds later Teun Koopmeiners pounced on a Rui Patricio howler to seal the 3-1 scoreline.
“We were up against an undoubtedly strong team, so to beat them we needed great concentration, the right focus and to be effective in attack. It was a very good performance,” Gasperini told DAZN.
This result puts Atalanta in seventh place, but only two points shy of Inter and four adrift of Milan and Roma, so the fight for European places is blown wide open this weekend.
“Duvan Zapata went through a difficult period, I always maintained we would have a much better chance of winning with the best Duvan. Hojlund and Lookman played their part, but players like Duvan and Luis Muriel can still give us a big hand and we remain in the running for our target.”
The coach has now been with the Bergamo boys for seven years, practically unheard of in Italian football.
“A high press is a characteristic of our game and fortunately many of the players have been here for years, so we know the right timing and movements. We were very solid today too with many midfielders who worked both in attack and defence, for example Pasalic and Koopmeiners scoring the goals.
“It’s true that it has been a long time. Tonight I was looking at Cristante, Spinazzola, Mancini and Ibanez playing for Roma, it has been quite a few years since they were here with us,” added Gasp.
“This is a club that evolves continually, and the first few years we had a complete revolution. I have found an ideal environment to work in, there is great mutual respect with the club and this helps us to keep working together.”
Although he has not won silverware yet with Atalanta, Gasperini did take them into Europe, including three consecutive Champions League participations.