Como manager Cesc Fabregas addressed the media ahead of his team’s upcoming match against Atalanta. The former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder shared his thoughts on various topics, including the opposition, his team’s tactics, and player performances.
Fabregas began by discussing Atalanta’s recent Champions League match: “I went to watch the game, which was very interesting to get some insights. Both teams have mechanisms that work from memory. We’ll need to be very alert and focused to get the three points.”
When asked about his team’s condition, Fabregas provided an update: “We’re doing well. Barba is starting to rejoin the group and I think he’ll be available from next week. Ali Jasim will be on the bench. Dossena is fine, he had some cramps against Bologna.”
Addressing tactical questions, Fabregas made it clear he won’t compromise his footballing philosophy: “We’ll go to Bergamo with our ideas. We certainly won’t play 5-4-1 hoping for a counterattack, that’s not a mentality that belongs to me.”
The Spanish coach also discussed his striking options, particularly new signing Belotti: “We can play with two or one striker, we need to continue on both paths. When we signed Belotti, we thought we wanted to be more incisive in the box, more concrete. At the same time, when playing with two strikers, we might not have the stability we would have with an extra midfielder.”
Fabregas expressed satisfaction with some of his midfielders’ performances: “I really liked the performance of Sergi Roberto and Perrone, they’re comfortable and play with tranquility. We have six midfielders and we believe in each of them. Players like Braunöder and Da Cunha, who have given us so much, need to get used to a higher step, which is Serie A.”
Looking ahead to the Atalanta match, Fabregas acknowledged the challenge: “It will be a great challenge in Bergamo. I always tell my players that to win, we must always do more than our opponent – run more, suffer more, and score one more goal. On Monday, we must go on the field without fear and without distorting our way of playing and our football philosophy.”
