Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has set ambitious goals for his team’s return to the Champions League, starting with their match against Arsenal at the Gewiss Stadium. In a pre-match press conference, Gasperini shared his thoughts on various topics, including the new Champions League format, his team’s approach, and recent developments in Serie A.
On Atalanta’s Champions League objectives, Gasperini stated, “The goal is to try to stay in, albeit difficult, the top eight, or more likely in the group between ninth and twenty-fourth place to advance in the Champions League round. We need to take points in every game.”
Regarding the new Champions League format, he commented, “It’s strange. Expanding it, I don’t know if we’ll see high-level matches or 9-2 scores like what happened yesterday in the first phase. We need to understand if it’s a better formula for the public and for the spectacle, but it’s certainly captivating.”
Gasperini praised Arsenal and their manager Mikel Arteta, saying, “I don’t know Arteta personally, but through his football as a coach, he has all my appreciation. Arsenal is a team I appreciate with many players, compact in attack, a great example of football.”
On Atalanta’s approach to the competition, he emphasized, “Atalanta has always played for only one result, victory, and we will try to do so tomorrow as well. This doesn’t mean considering ourselves strong enough for certain types of teams.”
Gasperini also addressed the recent coaching change at Roma, expressing surprise at Daniele De Rossi’s dismissal. He commented on the challenges faced by coaches in Serie A, stating, “It’s evident that our season has started with difficulties for everyone. There are no teams so well-prepared. I’m sorry because the coach is the one who pays the most in these moments, instead of gaining credit, he’s getting less and less to the advantage of other market figures.”
In a separate statement to Sky, Gasperini added, “I wish Ivan Juric all the best,” referring to the Croatian coach expected to replace De Rossi at Roma.
