Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta continues to go robust…however how far can they actually go this time period?
(Photograph: viveremilano.biz)
Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini was delighted along with his crew’s efficiency of their 2-2 draw away to Barcelona within the Champions League on Wednesday, regardless of lacking out on an computerized spot within the spherical of 16.
Following the draw, Atalanta slipped to ninth within the 36-team league, lacking out on the highest eight by only one level that means that they may face both Membership Brugge or Sporting within the play-off spherical.
However Gasperini was fast to make it clear that there was no disappointment on his half.
“We’re Atalanta, we’ve got to be pleased to play within the Champions League, to compete with the perfect European groups,” he instructed reporters.
“For us it’s all an important expertise, listening to (the followers) sing in these stadiums… Those that suppose in another way [must be] pissed off.”
FULL TIME! Barça end second within the Champions League league part!#BarçaAtalanta | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/OsVtBTAH0H
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 29, 2025
Whereas a win would have seen them declare a top-eight spot, Atalanta twice got here from behind to earn the attract Barcelona.
With the prospect of a difficult play-off tie to come back, Gasperini was requested whether or not he felt glad or regretted lacking out on the bye to the spherical of 16.
“It’s the primary one all the best way,” he mentioned. “We’re within the Champions League. We’ll subsequent play and see what occurs towards Sporting or Brugge, it’s not like we’re used to it.
“We performed within the Champions League for 4 years, one of these match actually enhances the crew.”
Atalanta superior to the quarter-final on their competitors debut in 2019-20, earlier than reaching spherical of 16 the next 12 months and being eradicated at group stage in 2021-22. Final season, in the meantime, they received the Europa League, beating beforehand undefeated Bayer Leverkusen within the remaining.
