If Roma refused to talk to the media, then Gian Piero Gasperini insists Atalanta ‘have serious doubts’ over the disallowed Gianluca Scamacca goal too. ‘It was impossible for the referee in that atmosphere.’
La Dea had taken the early lead at the Stadio Olimpico through a Teun Koopmeiners header, but it was cancelled out by the Paulo Dybala penalty for a clumsy Matteo Ruggeri intervention on Rick Karsdorp.
“Undoubtedly, it is a good point for us, as Carnesecchi made some good saves, but we too had chances. For example, a big opportunity with De Ketelaere when already 1-0 up,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“Lukaku and Dybala raise the level of a strong team, but clearly we could’ve avoided the penalty situation. We are also left with many doubts on the Scamacca goal that was disallowed.
“It was not an easy atmosphere to play in, as shown by the fact that we had six yellow cards and Roma only one, despite having the same number of fouls. We are undoubtedly satisfied to leave here with a point, considering the situation that had been created.”
Jose Mourinho was sent off in stoppages for dissent, so the Special One and all the Roma players and staff are refusing to speak to the media.
Yet Atalanta had their protests too, specifically the Scamacca goal that was disallowed for a light push on Nicola Zalewski.
“In my view, that is not a foul and Zalewski is already going down. Do you think that is a foul?” continued Gasperini.
“I do not condemn the referee at all, because it was like being at a bullfighting ring today and it is almost impossible for referees to officiate calmly in these situations.”
It was noted that if the referee had not made the decision on the field, it might not necessarily have drawn a VAR on-field review.
“The intensity of the hand on the back is different to a push and in my view, Zalewski realised he was not going to get the ball, so he went down easily. That is my version, I am open to listening to other views.”
Atalanta continue to churn out talents from their youth academy and scouting network, including goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
“I agree that this team is very solid in defence and midfield. We also had Holm and Ruggeri, who are young on the wings, a very young goalkeeper and upfront players who are in their early 20s and we expect more from them.
“The maturation and evolution of this squad goes through the forwards, who we really believe in.”
Giorgio Scalvini is only 20, but he is already a regular for Atalanta and there are reports he has been given a €60m price-tag.
“He feels like a veteran for us! He has almost 100 competitive games behind him, but just turned 20 last month, so every now and then he has these dips towards the end of matches. He is a player with great prospects and we consider him one of the most reliable players we’ve got.”
This point apiece does little to boost either side, but it does put Atalanta in joint sixth place with Lazio, now three points off Fiorentina in fourth.
“This is a tighter and more balanced campaign compared to recent years, as the mid-table clubs are taking points off those above them. Unfortunately, we have lost a few too many games in the final minutes – which fortunately we avoided tonight – and that means our position in the table is not as good as it could’ve been,” concluded Gasperini.
“Nonetheless, we are in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, we topped the Europa League group, so I have faith for the second half of the season.”
There is a busy week coming up for Atalanta, who face Milan in the Coppa Italia quarter-final at San Siro on Wednesday, then host Frosinone on Monday evening.