Gian Piero Gasperini feels giant-killers VfB Stuttgart represent ‘a real Champions League’ test, but one Atalanta are ready for with potentially a similar tactical approach to the one that let them beat Napoli.
It kicks off at the MHPArena in Stuttgart on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT.
This is a tough test for La Dea, because VfB shocked both Real Madrid and Juventus, while the Italians have ground to make up for after their disappointing 0-0 stalemate against Celtic.
“Without doubt, we expect to see the best version of Stuttgart tomorrow,” said Gasperini in his press conference and on Sky Sport Italia.
“We all saw their games against Juventus and Real Madrid, so we’ll be facing a strong, solid and organised side. It is a difficult match, we too will try to build on the positive form that we are experiencing at the moment.
“It is a real Champions League test. However, in football there is not fear of opponents, rather respect for them. We are all confident in our capabilities, including us.”
While Atalanta are flying in Serie A with five consecutive victories, they have drawn two of their three Champions League fixtures.
“It is a big table and it won’t take long to climb or drop a few positions. The two points we dropped against Celtic certainly weigh on us, so now we must seek them out in every arena and try to get points anywhere we can.”
Gasperini keeps Atalanta options open
Gasperini surprised Antonio Conte and Napoli on Sunday by resting Mateo Retegui, instead confusing their defenders with a versatile trio of Mario Pasalic, Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere, so will he do the same in Germany?
“We always play with three attacking players, but there is versatility within that structure. Last season, Teun Koopmeiners was the one who allowed us to vary our approach, now Pasalic is in that role, then we’ll see if Samardzic or Brescianini can do it too. We have alternatives, in any case.
“I really appreciate Stuttgart, what they did last season and the way they defend in numbers. On paper, it might seem tactically a similar team to Napoli, so we must read the variations in their approach.”
There will be a familiar face in Germany, because former Atalanta striker El Bilal Toure moved to VfB Stuttgart over the summer.
“The important thing is that he has fully recovered physically, because he had two operations in a short space of time, went through a very difficult period and always worked really hard,” explained Gasperini.
“He was very motivated coming to Stuttgart and scored a great goal against Juventus. I’m happy for him and it’ll be a pleasure to see him again. Hopefully he doesn’t cause us too much trouble…”
Lookman was in Paris this week for the Ballon d’Or ceremony, where he finished 14th in the vote, largely thanks to the hat-trick in the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen.
“He has had a fantastic evolution. Lookman already did well alongside Rasmus Hojlund, then had Gianluca Scamacca and De Ketelaere as partners before Retegui. At this moment, he is among the top players in Europe and that means on the world stage too.
“He is still in the running to win the African Player of the Year Award, but the most important thing is his evolution and consistency,” concluded Gasperini.
