Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini believes they could have managed things better in their 1-1 draw with Portuguese side Sporting. An early goal from Paulinho put the home side ahead, but La Dea equalied through Gianluca Scamacca, hitting the woodwork three times during a game they should have won. Speaking in the post-match, Gasperini touched on the missed chances and how he plans to approach the home leg:
“We could have certainly managed the qualification better considering how the game went and the number of chances we had. However, the result is still positive, and we’ll play for qualification at home. We need to focus on the positives, of which there were many. We’ll approach the home leg in the best possible way,” Gasperini stated.
Speaking about Gianluca Scamacca’s performance, Gasperini praised the player’s mental freedom on the field, despite some unfortunate moments. “Scamacca played with mental freedom. He was also unlucky, but he played well for the team. If he continues to play like this, he’ll produce results. He also scored a great goal. But the important thing is that he remains light-hearted and smiling on the field,” Gasperini added.
Reflecting on recent matches, Gasperini acknowledged the disappointment of losing to Bologna but emphasized his team’s resilience. “We came from a series of victories over two months, and the loss to Inter was acceptable. The disappointment came against Bologna because we played well. Losing disappointed us, but this is a team that reacts,” Gasperini said.
Regarding the intensity of matches, Gasperini highlighted the importance of maintaining focus in different situations. “There are games like the one against Milan, where the last minutes never seem to end, and you have to grit your teeth. In other matches, you realize that the opponent is struggling or you are particularly strong. In that case, you have to try to win, and that’s what we tried to do until the end,” Gasperini explained.
Gasperini also praised the maturity and personality of his players, expressing confidence in their development. “I have a core group of players with the right confidence. Then there are many young players who will learn from the seniors and also reach this level of maturity,” Gasperini noted.
Finally, Gasperini lauded the attacking threat posed by Ademola Lookman, emphasizing his ability to create danger in the final third. “Lookman is always capable of creating danger in the last 20 meters,” Gasperini concluded.
