Atalanta kicked off their Serie A campaign with a resounding 4-0 victory over Lecce at the Via del Mare stadium. In the post-match interview, manager Gian Piero Gasperini shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and addressed the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding key players.
Gasperini began by praising his team’s display: “This evening we delivered a very beautiful performance in all aspects, including technically. In a situation of apparent difficulty, there are boys who overcome everything, go on the field, and play very well. They were eager to play the first match of the season, and they did it very well.”
The manager was particularly impressed with the debuts of Brescianini and Retegui, both of whom scored braces. “Congratulations to them,” Gasperini said. “Retegui has been with us a bit longer, while Brescianini just arrived a few days ago. They are two Serie A players I know very well from facing them as opponents, and their integration has been easy in all aspects thanks to their merit.”
When asked about the situations of Lookman and Koopmeiners, Gasperini took a cautious approach: “I don’t know what Percassi said, but he surely said the right things. Honestly, no one expected to find themselves in this situation. At this moment, I should navigate a bit by sight. I had made some plans after the Europa League final, and then we encountered all these difficulties, including Scamacca’s injury. But then the club signed Retegui. I don’t know what will happen in these ten days left, the task is to assemble as much as possible, to see with the club what can be useful to achieve. Then, of course, we will have the final definition on August 31st.”
Reflecting on the team’s performance and Brescianini’s role, Gasperini noted: “We have an undoubtedly solid foundation, because Zappacosta, Ruggeri, the three at the back, Pasalic, are players who have been playing for Atalanta for years and guarantee a competitive playing structure and presence. Then there were De Ketelaere and those two. I started with Brescianini more central, but I realized during the match, right away, that he was struggling to get free. That’s a difficult role, one you also need to be used to. He wasn’t getting involved much, playing too offensively, so I moved him to the left and he grew into the game, then he was brilliant in the finishing phase.”
Gasperini concluded by expressing his confidence in Brescianini: “He’s one of those boys who fit well at Atalanta, those who have attachment, very proactive. I’m convinced that Atalanta has made a great acquisition.”
