Atalanta’s Gasperini: "We dominated, but lacked quality. Zaniolo and Samardzic? We need better conditions"
After Atalanta’s home match against Celtic, coach Gian Piero Gasperini shared his thoughts on the team’s performance on Sky Sport. Despite dominating the game, he felt that they lacked the quality to seal the win.
"We played well in Venice, but it was a game that was well-led from the start," Gasperini said. "It helped us to shoot early, which didn’t happen tonight. For the future, it’s clear that [we need to improve our] conditioning. We really struggled. DOMINATION – rarely do you see teams dominate like we did today. It’s not often that you see a team that fights for victory and defends so well. Right now, all that matters is the fact that we haven’t scored against Arsenal, either in the Champions League or in the league. We need all our players to be in good condition. If De Ketelaere, Retegui, and Lookman play well up front, we’ll make a quality leap. In my opinion, Zaniolo needs to improve, and Samardzic, whom I don’t see as a striker."
Gasperini’s comments highlighted the team’s struggles, particularly in terms of energy levels and goal-scoring. While they dominated possession and created scoring chances, they were unable to convert them into goals. The coach emphasized the importance of his players being in good condition, mentioning specific players like De Ketelaere, Retegui, and Lookman, who could make a significant difference up front.
The coach also expressed his concerns about the team’s attacking options, specifically mentioning Zaniolo and Samardzic. While he acknowledged the latter’s work rate and intensity, he doesn’t see him as a natural striker. Gasperini’s words will undoubtedly be music to the ears of fans, who have been eagerly anticipating improvements in the team’s attacking fortunes.
As Atalanta looks to bounce back from a disappointing result, their coach’s comments will have sent a clear message to his players: it’s time to step up their game and deliver the quality required to success.
