“The Italian Cup it remains an objective of the season also due to the formula with which it is built. There is the opportunity to get to the top straight away and play for the chance to go to the semi-finals and finals.” Thus the coach ofAtalanta, Gian Piero Gasperini on the eve of the round of 16 match in Bergamo against Cesena, with their championship lead: “Talking about scudetto on the sixteenth matchday it makes no sense and it 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: “Il African Ballon d’Or a Lookman and the civic merit of the Municipality of Bergamo a De Roon they are trophies for me too. I come from the youth sectors, the objective has always been to improve the players. It’s the whole Atalanta environment that puts them in a position to do it: they have the means, we can only help them get them out.”
Finally, on a striker who seems recovered: “Zaniolo he 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.
