Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists La Dea has been affected by some referees decisions and questions the sportsmanship of Italian fans.
La Dea meet Salernitana at the Stadio Arechi tomorrow. It kicks off at 19.45 UK time.
“Three games in seven days are a good test for us. We’ll play in an environment which I know every well, it will be a tough game and we only think about ourselves, not about the table,” Gasperini said at a press conference as quoted by Calciomercato.com.
“I’ve already told my players that we need to be focused. Salernitana have lost a few games, so they will give something more. Perhaps, they’ll change something. We need to be able to adapt to them.
“Franck Ribery is a great champion, everybody knows him. We’ll have to pay attention, I think he will play as a striker or as an attacking midfielder.”
Atalanta have managed four points in the opening three Serie A games and picked up a draw in their first Champions League group stage game away at Villareal earlier this week.
“We collected only one point against Bologna and Fiorentina, but we created more than our opponents,” Gasperini said.
“You know what I think. I try to forget and move on. However, there are a few incidents that occur quite often here in Italy, let’s say we were unlucky in the last two Serie A games.”
Atalanta lost 2-1 at home during their last Serie A game against Fiorentina, with three goals from three scored from the spot.
“Napoli are doing well, the same goes for Milan, is never easy to play against Liverpool and teams with their intensity,” the coach continued.
“Roma and Juventus are strong even if the Bianconeri had a lost start, Lazio will improve too.
“Every Italian team has done well in Europe, against great opponents. Atalanta are happy with what we are doing, we have our own identity, and it’s a great result for us.
“The fans in Spain were excellent the other night, in Italy, it doesn’t always happen. Having this recognition is already a great success since we do not aim to win the Champions League.
“We live for these small satisfactions. Champions League football is different, but the results obtained in Italy are a consequence of what we’ve done in Europe.