Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted that he has different opinions to the club, suggesting he may reconsider his future with La Dea. Defeat to Inter last night means that the club are out of the Champions League placings for another season, but may yet qualify for the Europa or Conference League in the final week of the season. Speaking with Sky Sport Italia after the match, Gasperini reflected on the season and conceded that he has a different opinion about the future, compared to Atalanta management:
“I expected a very motivated Inter team, they are a team that has great enthusiasm. They have adrenaline inside, they started really strong. Having overcome that very bad impact we slowly managed to find the right measures on their attackers and from there we constructed a good game,”
“Lukaku? His value is undoubtedly great, but we definitely marked him badly. We only managed after the first few minutes to take measures and we were able to contain him much more.”
“European football? It is important, we have our destiny in our hands. It would be a great goal for us: it already is to get to Europe for the sixth year out of seven, improving on last year’s championship would be a great achievement. This group has been working together for a long time, it seemed too long ago and instead it still proved to be competitive.”
“Right now the future is Sunday. Even I did not imagine we could maintain these qualities of performance in a difficult and balanced league, we have always traveled hand in hand with the big teams. On the rest we will see, undoubtedly this year there have been disparities of judgment: it seemed that Atalanta should fight for the Champions League. I don’t consider it a top team even if I give credit to the players for doing something really good. It is clear that if the situation is like this for the coach, it becomes difficult to confront results such as the obligation to get to Europe or the Champions League.”
“Between me and the club there is the utmost respect, they know well all my concerns. There is a wonderful relationship, but then there is football and you can have different opinions. I respect theirs but clearly I have my own: I don’t know if we will find common ground.”
“Beyond the technical value this group has a very high human value. We have been able to express the game of the past few years a few times, but this team has been certain of Europe for a few days, these are all impressions that I also share with the players: Right now Atalanta cannot be a top team. Being there should be a merit, instead this season there have been situations that have not enhanced the work of these guys.”
