Atalanta have resumed in the best possible way, starting their 2022 with a victory. The second half of the season started in Udine for the Nerazzurri, who have kept their away run unbeaten. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini couldn’t be more satisfied: “We had an excellent game”. Here is the post-match interview.

It was necessary to start well this new year, and Atalanta stood by their word, as they started very well.

“Yes, very well. We had an excellent game against an Udinese side who had some absentees, but perhaps we had more. They showed up with a very respectable squad, especially in the attack and the defence, they had some absentees in midfield. However, Atalanta played well. I don’t like saying we have won against a team of youngsters, as we have won against an excellent side.”

Atalanta keep extending their unbeaten run in away matches. Their path in the top spots of the table continues. This Atalanta side have shown what Gian Piero Gasperini had asked them to do.

“We have our absentees as well, even more serious, perhaps, if we look at the numbers. We played well, with all individuals. Then we had a few moments in which we believed it was an easy game, because of our good performance for long stretches of the game. We were unlucky when we conceded the 3-1, which apparently reopened the match, but the team then didn’t concede anything and kept playing. This is to prove that incidents do not affect the way you play.”

Now there’s the Coppa Italia and then Inter, one step at a time. It’ll be the Round of 16 of the Italian Cup, whoever wins goes through.

“We undoubtedly care about the cup, we’re playing at home against Venezia. I don’t think it’ll be an easy game for us either. As, in addition to our absentees, we’re indeed having Freuler back, but we’ll have to do without Malinovskyi and Iličić due to suspensions. We’re missing a lot of players, especially up front. So, we have to be careful, since knockout fixtures are something else.”