Former Italy CT Cesare Prandelli believes Roma can still qualify for the Europa League Final, but Daniele De Rossi must ‘surprise’ Xabi Alonso while Atalanta should win the Coppa Italia, inspired by Gianluca Scamacca’s goals.
Prandelli hopes three Serie A clubs will reach European Finals this term. Atalanta and Roma are in the race for the Europa League Final in Dublin, while Fiorentina aim to get the second consecutive Conference League Final.
Unfortunately, all Serie A clubs were eliminated from the Champions League before the quarter-finals, but two Italians, Carlo Ancelotti and Gigio Donnarumma, still have a chance to go to Wembley this season, so many Italian football fans are trying any way to get tickets to UCL Final.
“I still think there is a chance to see three Italian clubs in the European Finals; nothing is impossible in football,” Prandelli told Gazzetta.
“Roma must accomplish a feat away at Leverkusen after losing the first leg. It will be difficult to recover from two goals down against a team that has never lost so far, but it’s not impossible.
“Daniele [De Rossi] needs no advice. Bayer have self-confidence, especially after winning the Bundesliga, but in European cups, it doesn’t take much to turn things around,” continued Prandelli.
“Roma must surprise the Germans with something they are not accustomed to. Daniele is smart and brave and he’ll find the key. He has been able to become a reference point for the team in a short period of time. He is smart and prepared and I am convinced he learned a lot from his bad experience at SPAL.”
How about Atalanta? They collected a 1-1 draw in Marseille last week, but have also qualified for the Coppa Italia Final.
“There is no room for errors in the semifinals. Gasperini’s team has been a certainty in Europe and Italy, and Gasp deserves to finish the season by winning the Coppa Italia and the Europa League,” said Prandelli.
“The most surprising thing is that Atalanta change players every season, but you can always see Gasperini’s hand. It’s not a coincidence that many coaches try to imitate him.
“I hope that thanks to Scamacca’s goals, Atalanta will go all the way through in the Europa League. I hope so for Gasperini and Spalletti.”
Scamacca is not only the most prolific Italian player since March, but only Cole Palmer and Harry Kane have scored more goals than the Atalanta star in the last two months.
Prandelli’s former club, Fiorentina, will visit Club Brugge on Wednesday after beating the Belgian side 3-2 in Florence last week.
“I am sure Fiorentina will be prepared. They lost the Conference League Final last year, but they’ve gained experience,” said Prandelli.
“Reaching the Final and winning would be a fair reward for Italiano’s work. And Fiorentina fans would deserve it too.”
Last but not least, Prandelli spoke about one of his pupils, Thiago Motta, who has led Bologna to a European placement and is in the race for a Champions League spot.
“It would be historic and I’d be happy for Thiago. At the beginning of the season, I said that he was the most interesting emerging coach,” said his former Italy coach.
“Bologna are the only team in Serie A playing with a fluid system. Thiago keeps the players’ creativity and you can see they are happy on the pitch.”
Motta’s contract at the Stadio Dall’Ara expires in the summer and Prandelli is convinced he will receive several offers. “It would not surprise me to see him on the Juventus bench,” concluded the 66-year-old.