Ahead of Cagliari’s daunting encounter with Atalanta, head coach Davide Nicola spoke to the media, expressing his admiration for the formidable opponent. The match is set to take place at the Sardegna Arena, and Nicola is keenly aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
Describing Atalanta as one of the strongest teams in Europe, Nicola said, “It is one of the strongest teams in Europe, a result of the great work by the club. We will have to approach them in the best possible way, with energy and precision.” He likened the challenge of facing Atalanta to scaling Mount Everest, emphasizing the need for determination and focus. “I think of a movie about someone climbing a mountain despite difficulties. Every team has the ambition to play their game; we must give our all,” he remarked.
Nicola acknowledged Atalanta’s recent performance against Real Madrid, noting their quality but also recognizing their opponent’s superiority in that match. “Against Real, Atalanta showed great quality; however, the opponent proved to be superior. We will try to imitate them where possible,” he added.
When asked about surprising Atalanta, Nicola admitted that it would be a tough task. “They know how not to be surprised by their opponents. This will be an incredible challenge for our growth and will force us to think quickly and accurately,” he stated.
Reflecting on Cagliari’s previous matches against top teams in the league, Nicola remained optimistic about their chances. “We know what our objective is and our desire to grow and experiment during matches. We are always optimistic, even if sometimes it’s not possible to do what you want. Optimism should always be present; we play with eleven players and a ball,” he explained.
Discussing the significance of facing a team like Atalanta, Nicola expressed pride in his team’s opportunity to compete against such a well-structured side. “It’s a source of pleasure and pride. Atalanta is the only club that has grown over time; every year they add or modify something. They know how to wait, attack, and press you into your half while maintaining quality in possession. All this has been achieved over 9 or 10 years. With determination, results can be reached,” he concluded.
