It was a struggling season opener, but a winning one for Atalanta who on the Serie A TIM 2021-2022 matchday 1 won 2-1 away against Torino with a goal scored at the death. It is the first game of the league, there is work to be done, but the team never gave up, as confirmed by coach Gian Piero Gasperini: “The boys gave everything”.
Here is the full interview.
Gian Piero Gasperini, sometimes the important thing is to win.
“I don’t think so. I’m surely happy that we won. Winning like this makes you think. It can be a good incentive for everyone.”
This Atalanta side never give up, that’s for sure.
“True, the lads gave their all in a very difficult evening as for athletic and physical performance. It wasn’t easy as we were up against a team that had more strength and energy than us. Torino got to every second ball. The goalkeeper played these long balls and they were creating too many dangerous chances from clearances. We undoubtedly struggled, as I said earlier, both because of traits and shape, perhaps, but I wouldn’t hold on to that. I would stick to the game.”
There are no alibis, you’re not looking for them, but there is a preparation that differs from that of the other teams, which is that of the players who were missing.
“Yes, that is true, but we play the Champions League. So, there can be an emergency, fair enough. We are struggling right now. We’ll get some players back soon, but this match should make us think.”
Coach, it’s the team’s win, as everybody gave more than what they could and should have given, as you said.
“All the lads were great, those who played and those who came on included. Some of them have been on the bubble for weeks, whether they should go or stay. – Lammers and Piccoli, for example. – Yes. Moreover, Lammers comes from a shoulder injury and he wasn’t ready yet to play against Juventus last Saturday in Turin. We threw him on today, as it’s the first week in which he seems to have recovered. Piccoli scored the winner. This guy is really attached to the team, he grew up here, he’ll always be available. All of them. I must say the others as well, as it’s not easy to scrape the bottom of the barrel and hold on when you don’t have the energy, in a game in which you’re struggling like this. So, in this respect, all the guys were commendable.”
You were also pushed by the Nerazzurri fans, the people from Bergamo; there were 400 of them.
“Yes, that definitely gave us a boost, as we can have the fans with us at last. At least, as for the result, they may have got great satisfaction.”