Gian Piero Gasperini was keen to see what his Atalanta side could do in a tough clash against Roma tomorrow.
La Dea have started the season incredibly well and currently sit tied at the top of the Serie A table alongside title challengers Milan and Napoli. A win against Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi tomorrow would only give the team further confidence as they dream of a possible Scudetto run this season. The lack of European football allows Atalanta to recover well in between league games.
Speaking at a press conference, Gasperini first discussed if he imagined Atalanta being in this position at this stage of the season.
“This year we never set ourselves anything, being first after six matches is a great merit. But it’s just the beginning, it’s a season yet to be deciphered, it’s very difficult.
“The big teams have strengthened considerably, but so have the other teams, Monza and Cremonese, whom we faced, have come very close, but also Lecce and Salernitana.
“We’re up there, but we have to understand what we can do, tomorrow will be a good test before the break, afterwards ideas will be clearer.”
He looked ahead to tomorrow’s game against Roma and if he expects something different compared to last season.
“The teams have changed, Roma got Dybala, he gives an extraordinary value to this one. Last year there are many particular moments, it was a different season.
“For me they represent a formidable test, we meet an undoubtedly strong team, it can also give us an important opportunity to play football.”
The Italian coach touched on how tomorrow’s match will be his 298th with Atalanta, making it his most coached club ahead of Genoa.
“Genoa represented a long and important part of my career. But I am happy to have reached this milestone with Atalanta, we hope to celebrate in the best possible way.”
Gasperini commented on what new signing Jeremie Boga is still missing following his arrival on loan in January.
“I work off performances. It makes me very happy when you talk about performance, it depends on him, when there are performances that are adequate to what the team requires there will be more space.
“Why does this happen? If I had the answer I would also have the answer. Every week there’s this thing, about Muriel I’ve heard a few things… Muriel has played a lot, last year he played 27 games out of 38. These are the numbers, the rest is disinformation.”
He gave his thoughts on his Roma counterpart Mourinho.
“He plays with a three-man defence, he has changed a lot. He’s a great coach, he goes with the times, he modifies as needed.
“The two games last year left us a bit… like that, without taking anything away from Roma, especially for the ability he has to renew himself, he has transmitted an exceptional enthusiasm to Rome, he has reawakened a fantastic squad, he generates this type of enthusiasm.”
The Atalanta coach commented on the latest VAR controversy.
“The referees, or whoever, have to go on TV to explain the various situations but also the mistakes that can occur in the speed of the decision.
“But there has to be a review, a certainty of regulation, we struggle to understand if one is right or an error. This year there have been a few incidents that have not touched us, except in Genoa. There are too many protests over situations that are not clear.”
He spoke about his expectations for tomorrow’s match.
“A 0-0. Tomorrow is the seventh game of the season, the result is important but in the same way you have to measure yourself against your opponents.”
Finally, Gasperini commented on if Roma are possible title contenders this season.
“In the immediate future I’d say Napoli, Milan and Inter, they are a bit ahead. Roma have a strong squad, they can think about competing, they are a team that can grow.”