Atalanta Cesena on the pitch for the knockout rounds of the Italian Cup
THE VIGIL
Sead Kolasinac, Ederson and Ademola Lookman remain outside Atalanta’s 20-man squad. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who brings Vanja Vlahovic from the Under 23s up front, has decided to rest one big player from each department. The Nerazzurri also have to do without the suspended Cuadrado and the injured Ruggeri, Scalvini and Scamacca. The goalkeepers are Rui Patricio, Carnesecchi and Rossi; in defense Djimsiti, Godfrey, Hien, Kossounou and Toloi; exteriors Bellanova, Palestra and Zappacosta; midfielders Brescianini, De Roon, Pasalic, Samardzic and Sulemana; in attack De Ketelaere, Retegui, Vlahovic and Zaniolo.
“The Italian Cup remains an objective of the season also due to the formula with which it is constructed. There is the opportunity to reach the top straight away and play for the possibility of going to the semi-final and final.” Thus the Atalanta coach, Gian Piero Gasperini on the eve of the round of 16 match in Bergamo against Cesena, on the strength of their championship lead: “Talking about the scudetto on the sixteenth matchday makes no sense and doesn’t mean being stronger – objects the Nerazzurri coach -. There are many teams in just a few places. We aim to become stronger as a team, Football is not a sport for individuals.”
The moment for the Bergamo players is positive, but with some distinctions: “In Cagliari we had a bit of luck in the first half, but in the second half we did well, deserving the lead and the victory. It’s not always possible to play ninety minutes very well.” Monday was full of awards for Atalanta: “The African Golden Ball to Lookman and the civic merit of the Municipality of Bergamo to De Roon are trophies for me too. I come from the youth sectors, the the objective has always been to improve the players. It’s the whole Atalanta environment that puts them in the position to do so: they have the means, we can only help them get them out.” Finally, on an attacker who seems to have recovered: “Zaniolo has scored in two games, from an athletic and dynamic point of view he has grown after a long injury. For him as for others the pitch speaks”, concludes Gasperini.
ANSA Agency Atalanta without Ruggeri against Cesena, foot injury – Football – Ansa.it The winger suffered a contusion in Cagliari (ANSA)Reproduction reserved © -
