Gian Piero Gasperini feels Atalanta have grabbed their first win of 2025 at ‘the proper time’, defeating Sturm Graz to earn a spot into the highest 24 of the Champions League’s league section, an achievement that ‘wasn’t assured at the beginning’.
La Dea’s means they’re now sure of progressing to the knockout section play-off but in addition have full probabilities of heading straight to the round-of-16, though their final match towards Barcelona might show decisive in that respect.
The Italian tactician urged his gamers to not ‘lose humility’ of their ultimate fixture towards the Blaugrana, however admitted it will likely be ‘an enormous motivation’.
Gasperini: Atalanta might want to mix ‘boldness’ with ‘humility’ towards Barcelona
“We wanted this; we simply couldn’t handle to win in 2025 to this point, and it got here on the proper time,” after the match.
“We’ve had an excellent run, regardless of a tricky schedule that included internet hosting Arsenal and Actual Madrid. Tonight, we needed to shut it out.
“Within the first half, we didn’t do very nicely technically, however then we managed the sport. Already being within the high 24 is a superb achievement, which wasn’t assured at the beginning.”
Atalanta boast among the finest assaults within the competitors, having scored 18 objectives from seven Champions League matches, a form of offensive ‘boldness’ that might additionally pose a menace to the Spanish giants within the subsequent spherical.
“Boldness is sweet, so long as we don’t lose humility,” the coach warned.
“We’re taking part in towards a really sturdy staff, and we even have a league with very powerful matches. We’re taking part in with nice depth, however in any case, we’ll go to Barcelona to present our greatest, as we at all times do.
“These are video games of such status. We haven’t confronted Barcelona lately. I don’t know if which means we’re fortunate, contemplating we’ve confronted all of Europe’s high groups. For us, it will likely be an enormous motivation.
“We’ll see how the 2 league matches earlier than it go. Rotating gamers doesn’t imply we don’t wish to win. In Riyadh, I made three modifications to gamers who had starred towards Roma, but it surely appeared like we went there to not play.
“In lots of matches, you must profit from a deep squad, as we did tonight.”
Gianluca Scamacca is closing in on his return to motion after a prolonged harm, which is able to pressure Gasperini to select one between him and the staff’s main goalscorer Mateo Retegui.
“Contemplating the opposite forwards, it’s the most probably resolution, however I’m satisfied they’ll play collectively as nicely,” the coach noticed.
“We’ll see whether or not from the beginning or through the match. Scamacca wants a little bit of taking part in time to get again into rhythm, however he’s very motivated.
“He began the season fantastically, and I’ll attempt to combine him as quickly as attainable. We must be cautious, as we’re lacking a alternative for Lookman and De Ketelaere, except Zaniolo develops into that sort of participant.
“I imagine having a powerful assault is essential. Having gamers who can come on and make a distinction is vital. Samardzic is doing nicely now; it is a staff that may develop.”