It’s a pity Atalanta didn’t manage to get as much as they gave on the pitch in the last three days. First, they suffered a loss to Roma at the Gewiss Stadium, then they drew away to Genoa in the final fixture of 2021, which was also the midway stage of the season. But Gian Piero Gasperini remains pragmatic: “The season is long”.
Gian Piero Gasperini, it didn’t end up as we all had hoped for, with a win, yet you gained one point that is good for the table.
“It’s not easy to always win on these pitches. We tried to win until the end. It’s clear this pitch didn’t suit our best features. It was difficult for both teams to play technically here. It’s not our strength to play long balls and put them over the top.. However, we tried to win until the end, we had some very good threats, but we weren’t able to score and that is how the game ended.”
Are you a bit disappointed?
“No, we’re not. It was difficult this evening. We’re disappointed about the last three days, in which we have collected very little, also because of our recent performances. We have slowed down a bit here, but the season is long and we’re rounding off [the first half of the season] on 38 points, which is a record for us. We’re having a week off and then we’ll try to start again.”
We should say it’s been a busy first half of the season if we also add up all the Champions League matches.
“Yes. We’ve really played a lot. However, when we’re back in January, I think it’ll be the same. There will be a lot of matches and other competitions, the Coppa Italia begins too. There will be the league… a lot of clashes. We’re playing so frequently, by now.”
You had to do without Mæhle and Toloi, whom you weren’t able to call up, and Zapata left the pitch after 45 minutes this evening.
“I’m sorry about this, as Mæhle fractured his toe on his foot in the final minutes of the match against Roma. We didn’t expect it. Yesterday Toloi also stopped, and today Zapata. I don’t think it’s serious. This obviously affected today’s game, as, given the kind of match it was, he would have definitely helped us.”
It is satisfying to have set this record for points. You had a slow start at the beginning of the first half of the season, then you finished on a high, on 38 points, which is the first time this happens.
“Globally, it’s going very well. It’s clear we have always to be alert, as this league is balanced. There are turnarounds in it. There are always some particular circumstances. You always have to be on the ball, to be alert. You should never get overexcited or become demoralized, as every game is very difficult. It’ll be even more difficult in the second half of the season.”