Atalanta’s manager Gian Piero Gasperini has voiced his concerns about the frequent interruptions in Italian football matches following his team’s impressive 6-1 victory over Hellas Verona. The win, which marked Gasperini’s 400th game in charge of Atalanta, propelled the team to third place in the Serie A standings.
In his post-match interview, Gasperini reflected on the stark contrast between the flow of play in Champions League matches and those in Serie A. He noted, “If we could have scored one of the goals we had this evening against Celtic, it would have been better, but the performance was very similar. The team is doing very well; we played with quality and also with a bit of regret that had remained from that match.”
Gasperini went on to express his frustration with the interruptions that plague domestic matches. He stated, “The game in the Champions League is never still. Here there are too many interruptions, whistles, and simulations.” He emphasized that the issue lies not with the referees but with the players and the Italian system of play: “In my opinion, this is the biggest damage we have at the moment. I don’t think it’s a matter of effective time because with all these interruptions, the match would last two and a half hours. The issue is about the rhythm and intensity of the games.”
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Gasperini acknowledged Verona’s capabilities: “From Champions League matches, you carry an intensity with you. Today we scored two quick goals, and clearly, the game took a turn that didn’t happen against Celtic. I believe Verona is a good team that has played well in recent weeks and will recover from this defeat.”
On a more positive note, Gasperini expressed his gratitude for a banner displayed by fans commemorating his 400th match with Atalanta. “I want to say something about the banner for me this evening. It was beautiful not only for the 400 matches but because it referred to what has been done for the team, the fans, and the city. There couldn’t have been a better compliment,” he said.
Looking ahead, Gasperini will represent Atalanta at the Ballon d’Or ceremony alongside player Ademola Lookman. He expressed some disappointment that Atalanta was not among the six best teams nominated but viewed their invitation as a recognition of collective achievement: “I’m a bit disappointed that Atalanta is not among the six best teams. Ademola Lookman and I will go to represent it for a result achieved together.”
