Gian Piero Gasperini didn’t believe his Atalanta side deserved to lose against Napoli but is proud of the effort his players put in. La Dea slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat against the league leaders but had chances of their own to at least draw level. Speaking to DAZN after the game, Gasperini was rueful but still buoyed by the performance of his young team:
It wasn’t easy against a defence like Napoli to create so many scoring opportunities, especially as we hit the crossbar.
This is a team that is growing, both technically and in fitness terms. We were up to the standard of Napoli and in some cases above them. We probably didn’t deserve to lose and were a little unlucky, but we emerge from this match with pride and confidence for the future.
We attacked well, prevented their dangerous counter-attacks, and we need to improve on playing out from the back, as the long ball was used a bit too much in the second half. Lookman is doing really well and I really like [Rasmus] Hojlund. I am very satisfied with how these lads are doing.
When you emerge from a game like this, against a Napoli side everyone can see, I leave here with the certainty we will have a good season.
