Gian Piero Gasperini is torn between feeling pleased with Atalanta’s points record and disappointed at the 0-0 draw with Genoa. ‘If you think you know it all, that’s not humility, that’s arrogance.’
La Dea must be starting to worry, as they conclude 2021 with just one point from two rounds, having lost 4-1 to Roma and fired blanks at Marassi in this 0-0 draw with Gasp’s former club Genoa.
This means Juventus have sliced the gap from fourth to fifth place, which now stands at only four points at the midway stage of the season.
“I am glad that we have 38 points at the midway stage, a record for my time with Atalanta,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“On the other hand, I have regrets because we only brought home one point from the last two games, but on a global scale looking at the campaign, we can be satisfied.”
Among the reasons for the Bergamo boys struggling to find the net in quite the same way this term, they aren’t nearly as dominant on set plays.
“We aren’t doing well with corners, perhaps the opposition teams are better organised. We went close a couple of times tonight and in a game like this, set plays can be decisive. We struggled this evening when we to put balls over the top, while the state of the pitch didn’t suit our quick passing.”
Having gone out of the Champions League group stage, is there the risk Gasperini has reached a plateau with this Atalanta side?
“There are many aspects to consider. Humility is in always asking yourself questions, seeing what needs to be improved, because if you think you know it all, then that’s not humility, that becomes arrogance.
“We’ve got good men here, I don’t know what might happen on the market in January, but I will try to improve the players I have.”
Duvan Zapata went off with an adductor issue, while goalkeeper Juan Musso was rested in favour of Marco Sportiello.
“Musso had always played, but he was a bit irritable recently after conceding some goals that were not his usual standard, while Sportiello was coming from a good period of form. We understand Musso perfectly well, he will become an excellent goalkeeper.”