Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini notes Champions League qualification is now “in our hands” after beating Udinese to fly into fourth place.
The Nerazzurri beat Le Zebrette 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Marten de Roon and Mario Pasalic and that result saw them leapfrog Roma back into fourth spot.
Gasperini was quick to play down the suggestion by midfielder De Roon when he said that if they beat Lazio next week, they are practically qualified.
Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini notes Champions League qualification is now “in our hands” after beating Udinese to fly into fourth place.
The Nerazzurri beat Le Zebrette 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Marten de Roon and Mario Pasalic and that result saw them leapfrog Roma back into fourth spot.
Gasperini was quick to play down the suggestion by midfielder De Roon when he said that if they beat Lazio next week, they are practically qualified.
“No, I don’t believe that,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“Because then we still must win the following games. It’s clear now though that if we win all our remaining matches the other teams can’t catch us.
“They are very balanced games, but we remain confident as we are playing with a desire and a belief that we can do something special."
Gasperini was then asked who he thought was their main opponent in the top four race, as Atalanta are on 59 points, Roma 58, Milan and Torino 56, then Lazio 55.
“They are all good teams when I look at the table, I see Roma, Torino, and Milan behind us. There are 12 points up for grabs, everyone must win three games and if we win four, we mathematically qualify.
“There is the risk that one of these teams can go from fighting to the Champions League to ending up with nothing and that makes it all the more interesting.”
Gasperini praised the performance of his players against Udinese and singled out captain Papu Gomez in particular.
“I knew the game would be tough because I believe Udinese are better than their position in the table says. The boys played a great game, we were put under pressure in the first half, but we created plenty of chances. In the second half then it was very one-sided, even if it was our third game in a week.
“When we play against these teams that try and match you and won’t give you any space, we know we must be more technical, quicker with the ball, but we forgot that in the first half.
“In the second we played much better and despite playing three games in such a short space of time, we seemed to have not so much more energy, but more desire to win.
“Gomez was extraordinary, while Duvan Zapata may not have scored, he worked hard for the team.”
Josip Ilicic missed out tonight as he was deemed unfit to play and the technician explained the choice to leave him at home.
“For him, it is difficult to recover in a few days after a match, so three games in a row was never going to happen. Yesterday he tried to train, but had to sit it out.
“We hope to have him available on Sunday, but he is suffering from muscle fatigue, he can’t shoot or pass and when you’re like that you can’t play.
“His worth to the team is undeniable, however, as his quality makes us capable of facing the best teams on an equal level.
“Unfortunately, he wasn’t available for us at the start of the season due to injury and suspension and we definitely missed him during those games.”