Gian Piero Gasperini insists Atalanta did not deserve a Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in stoppages. “It really hurts.”
Duvan Zapata had given them the lead, after Josip Ilicic saw his penalty saved, but Junior Moraes and a last-gasp Solomon counter-attack turned it around at San Siro for 2-1.
Gian Piero Gasperini insists Atalanta did not deserve a Champions League defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in stoppages. “It really hurts.”
Duvan Zapata had given them the lead, after Josip Ilicic saw his penalty saved, but Junior Moraes and a last-gasp Solomon counter-attack turned it around at San Siro for 2-1.
“The lads did so well, and although we have to take some of the blame for that final goal, it just seems that we are not getting the results we deserve in the Champions League,” the Coach told Sky Sport Italia.
“It was an important game against a strong side that is accustomed to this type of tournament. We played the way Atalanta know how, albeit adapted for the Champions League, and that’s why this defeat really hurts.
“The level of the competition is very high, so it is a valuable learning experience, but it hurts to lose a few seconds from the final whistle.”
It was certainly an improvement on the debut 4-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb, but Atalanta are still looking for their first Champions League point.
“We intend to use this experience to grow, but what we absolutely must avoid is conceding in the last seconds when we’re all pouring forward. It’s unacceptable, as we have no time to make up for it,” continued Gasp.
“We were more precise in the first half, whereas after the break we weren’t as consistent on the second balls. We continued to keep the ball on the ground and play to feet, so it was a great performance up until the final 30 seconds.
“It’s a pity for the lads, because considering the way they played, a defeat really doesn’t reflect that.”