Verona coach Ivan Juric admits there is a lot of mentor Gian Piero Gasperini in his footballing ideology, and believes the Atalanta boss is “the best in Italy."
It kicks off on Saturday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Juric was speaking at his pre-game press conference ahead of Verona’s trip to Bergamo and was full of praise for Gasperini, who recently won Coach of the Year at the Gran Gala del Calcio awards.
Verona coach Ivan Juric admits there is a lot of mentor Gian Piero Gasperini in his footballing ideology, and believes the Atalanta boss is “the best in Italy."
It kicks off on Saturday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Juric was speaking at his pre-game press conference ahead of Verona’s trip to Bergamo and was full of praise for Gasperini, who recently won Coach of the Year at the Gran Gala del Calcio awards.
“He is my teacher, in my opinion the best in Italy. Atalanta always play great football. They’re a team that have been built over years, and they are constantly improving and have the consistency of their own football style whilst changing players.”
La Dea have a crucial Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, but Juric doesn’t believe it will have any effect on how they line out against his side.
“Gasperini wants to win every game. there will be no changes.”
Juric freely admits there are a lot of Gasperini’s methods in his side’s style of play, as he worked with Gasp as a player and assistant manager.
“There’s definitely a great deal, he has influenced me a lot. Then the different characteristics come out, and you move the team towards one thing or another.
“But yes, I can’t deny that I have taken a lot from him.”
Juric also confirmed that midfielder Miguel Veloso and striker Mariusz Stepinski will both play.
“Yes, both are fit and will play.”
Striker Eddie Salcedo had knee surgery today, but avoided more serious knee ligament damage.
“He got it through the classic knee injury: he fell badly during a game between ranks.”