Thanks to their victory over Monza, Atalanta set a new series of personal records, the one that the coach Gian Piero Gasperini likes best is the one that sees Atalanta, for the first time in their Serie A history, on top of the league table alone after five or more matches in a season: “We’re enjoying this moment”.
Gian Piero Gasperini, where should we start? How would you comment on this Monza v Atalanta game? The team have set a new series of records, such as being on top of the table alone for the first time in their history, keeping a clean sheet in all first three away games of a season for the first time in the club’s history, and for the first time in Serie A history, three players born in 2003 scored for Atalanta: Scalvini, Cisse and Højlund today.
“It’s good. Great records. Today’s best record is to be top of the league. I don’t know how long it will last but we’re enjoying this moment. The lads deserve the praise, as they have worked hard and sweated since the 4th of July, have trained with great motivation, in the African heat. They are now reaping rewards that are difficult to get, between highs and lows, showing great desire, though, and this deserves great credit”.
You grew into the game, Atalanta are getting us used to a less aggressive first half and then taking control of the game and winning games in the second half. This is what happened today and at Verona.
“Yes, it’s true. It’s something we’ve been carrying around since last year, as we conceded in the opening seconds of a game. We surely can’t keep up with the initial speed of some teams and some players, who have great pace. Monza had a good technique in the opening minutes and almost scored. As time wore on, we settle down and the others dropped off. We prevailed in the second half quite clearly”.
The new signings are increasingly settling in, aren’t they?
“All new signings played today, three of them started, while Soppy came on in the second half and did very well. They’re bringing in energy, pace, strength and excitement. I had no doubts about this, as new signings have different energy and this could be a boost for those who were already with us”.
Two games left until the first break of the season: Cremonese at home and then an away match against Roma.
“Yes, we would like to keep first place even after the game against Cremonese. It won’t be an easy game, as I saw Cremonese play Roma and Sassuolo and they accelerate and run a lot. They’re well organized. They’re tough to play. It was difficult today against Monza, too. All games are like this. Right now we have to focus on remaining in the first place even after Sunday’s game”.