Gian Piero Gasperinicoach of Atalanta, spoke on the microphone after the victory against Empoli DAZN: “De Ketelaere's goal was sensational, De Ketelaere wanted it at all costs, he scored a great goal which gives us three points in a complicated match. We conceded a goal from a lateral foul, perhaps there was a fan in the stands running for the ball and they went for the goal, because we were taken aback by our fault, because we were looking around while the others went for the goal. And then he gives the penalty after we had turned it over. Empoli have never conceded so many goals, they know how to defend. When you concede two goals like this it seems like a bad evening, even with Retegui's injury. We pulled off a match, which we deservedly won in my opinion. .
Won a match on an evening that seemed wrong: a victory for a great team?
“Tonight there was the energy, the desire, the confidence to always be able to win and overturn the result. It wasn't easy due to Empoli's defensive merits. We weren't all having the best day, but the energy and spirit made assuming that we would have looked for it until the end and that we would have been able to win it on the first play, I am very happy.”
On Zaniolo.
“The play was valuable, he made a very important assist for Lookman at that moment. Then when playing with his back to goal he sometimes has a little more difficulty, I would like him to exploit the depth a little more, he needs to get used to it a little 'more to play as a first striker. In the end I put him on the left, as a winger he has to get used to pressing better, coming back a little more and taking advantage of his running. But he is a boy who is growing , yes working hard, he scored some important goals, today I would say we are on the right path.”
A year ago you wouldn't have said you'd win the Europa League and end 2024 at the top, what can you hope for 2025?
“First of all, for us, being in the lead this Christmas is a great result, as are the eleven victories and the whole of 2024. Not only the victory of the Europa League, but also the entire second round of the last championship, going to the end to three competitions. It was a wonderful year. We hope that 2025 will be just as good, I'm very happy with the spirit and the spirit there are eleven players new ones since August and a nice energy has been created. Of course they also help the results.”
