ATALANTA-UDINESE 2-1
The 2-1 victory against Udinese confirmed Atalanta’s great moment and the team’s ability to adapt even to complicated matches. The captain Marten de Roon in the post-match press conference he recounted the difficult first half, the turning point that occurred during the interval and the value of an increasingly complete and competitive group. Proud of the team’s progress, De Roon expressed emotion for his personal growth and the crucial role he plays within the Nerazzurri project. Here’s what was highlighted by TuttoAtalanta.com
Marten, a heavy victory for how it went. How important was the reaction and what did Gasperini tell you at half-time?
“It was a really complicated match, especially in the first half. I think it was our worst this year: we were slow, lackluster, and I have to admit that personally I don’t remember a pass made correctly. The coach, in reality, didn’t have We all knew we had to change our tone, we told ourselves to fight more, to counter their physical play and to put everything we had on the field. In the second half we didn’t do extraordinary things, but we showed character and this was the key to turning the game around.”
Is seeing Atalanta so high in the table a source of pride? What do you think of the talk about the championship?
“Being up there is proof that we are working well. We had a fantastic October, achieving important results. But we must keep our feet on the ground: we aim to improve and be among the top, but we must not burden ourselves with unnecessary pressure. The Today’s first half is a sign that there is still a lot to grow. For the Scudetto? Is it too early to talk about it, we’ll see where we can go later.”
Gasperini defined you as irreplaceable, a player who thinks with his head. How do you experience this relationship with him?
“It’s a great honor to hear him say it, but I think the opposite is true: I think like him because in all these years he has taught me so much. I have learned to understand what he wants and to pass it on to my teammates on the pitch. Thanks to him I have achieved great goals , he helped me grow as a footballer and as a person. I’m happy to be considered irreplaceable, but the credit goes to him for trusting me.”
You have experienced many different Atalantas. This team seems more complete than in the past. Do you agree?
“Each team has its own characteristics, but it’s true that this Atalanta is more mature. Today, for example, we won a match that last year we probably would have lost. The squad is deeper, we have players capable of changing the course of the races. This makes the difference in difficult challenges. The mentality has grown, now we know how to adapt and find different solutions when our usual game doesn’t work.”
If you could talk to Marten who arrived in Bergamo ten years ago, what would you tell him?
“I would tell him not to worry. I remember that it was difficult at the beginning: I didn’t speak the language, I didn’t know anyone and there were few foreigners in the team. I suffered a lot in the first few weeks. But the path I’ve taken with this club and this team is incredible. I am proud and honored to be here and to have experienced all this with Atalanta.”
The victory against Udinese is not only a valuable result in the standings, but a sign of growth for Atalanta. De Roon, the soul of the midfield and undisputed leader, best represents the values of a team that never stops fighting. The captain looks ahead with optimism, aware that the best is yet to come. “We are on the right path, but we must continue to work to grow further.”he concluded.
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