Andriy Shevchenko trusts that Genoa ‘proved we have heart and character’ in tonight’s 0-0 draw with fourth-placed Atalanta.
This was only the second Serie A point of Sheva’s tenure on the Grifone bench and a rare clean sheet, especially against an Atalanta side who scored 100 goals in 2021.
“We had to show character, we reacted well and with great spirit. This team wants to fight for results and it has heart, it proved that tonight,” Shevchenko told Sky Sport Italia.
“The state of the pitch did not help Atalanta, in fairness, but the lads did what I asked today. They pressed well. We can do better, especially in attack where we lack sharpness and physicality, but I am happy with what we did today.
“We worked above all on the passing channels this week, because Atalanta are so good at spreading the play and making the most of the runs from midfielders and wingers. We managed to close those triangles, although Atalanta were still dangerous on crosses.
“I congratulated Gian Piero Gasperini at the final whistle, because he has always built great teams wherever he went. He sets an example for other coaches. He also congratulated me on tonight’s battle.”
The January transfer window is coming up and Shevchenko is ready to revamp the squad to suit his vision, having taken over mid-season from Davide Ballardini.
“We’ve been working with this system for a couple of months, but I have asked the director of sport to find players so we can move to a 4-3-3 formation as well.”
Good luck, Sheva!