The Nerazzurri coach on the eve of the away match against Sassuolo: “The way back to Europe has always been the championship”
3 February – Zingonia (Bg)
Out of the Italian Cup, Atalanta has only the championship left to return to Europe. The next stop to keep the train of the big names is tomorrow evening in Reggio Emilia, in the home of that Sassuolo beaten in the first leg when, however, they did not have Berardi and Laurentiè. “The main way back to Europe has always been the championship – Gian Piero Gasperini is sure -. Even if we are sorry to have gone out with Inter, who have done more than us in terms of play, even if we have had some important opportunities but we lacked cynicism. Now let’s think about Sassuolo. I didn’t need the 5-2 in Milan to know that they are a level team, with excellent individuals. We know each other well, they also changed something with a good market. Did Dionisi say that he would sign to make my career? He is good and young, he must aspire to do better than me. In the summer we could have taken Pinamonti and Berardi but Hojlund and Lookman arrived instead? Like the other teams, we have thought of many players. On Lookman there was the strong conviction of Congerton, who had had him at Leicester, while for Hojlund it was a very quick negotiation”.
Wake up dove
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However, Gasp got the title when he was asked about the condition of the two Colombian forwards. Perhaps also in order not to burden the current owners with excessive responsibilities. “Without the real Zapata and Muriel, but I’m also thinking of Pasalic in attack, Atalanta isn’t going anywhere – the coach goes straight ahead -. Duvan is now physically recovered, Luis knows what he has to do to get back to November. He’s moving, but he has to hurry. Also because with the 5 substitutions all the teams use forwards. And we can’t always bear the trident.” Still on the subject of the pitch, Gasp takes stock of the two unavailable players: “Zappacosta should be back in the group from Monday, Palomino is a little further back, let’s say by a week, but still ahead of schedule”. Closing of pure pride: “You tell me that I deserve a trophy for what I have done in these seasons? But having broken all the previous Atalanta records is worth more than trophies to me. Also because we almost always win the same ones. And this makes what Napoli is doing even more special, with a performance even higher than that of Maradona’s times”.
February 3, 2023 (change February 3, 2023 | 2:39 pm)
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