Gasperini: We can learn from Shakhtar
Monday, September 30, 2019
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Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini and team player Duvan Zapata gave a press conference on the eve of the UCL Group Stage MD2 game vs Shakhtar
Gian Piero Gasperini, manager:
- We’re facing a really important game because everyone knows the outcome of the meeting in Zagreb. We are in a difficult situation after the defeat. This is a tough group with only six games - there is no room for error.
- The recent games were very intense. In this regard, will we see any new faces on the pitch tomorrow?
- Right, all the matches were intense, but they were not as decisive as the one that awaits us tomorrow. We expect a high-profile game. We understand that Shakhtar also lost at home in the first round and that they also need a result. We will attack and defend. As for the ‘new faces’, I can say that the team squad includes 16 players, not just 11 players, so they can replace one another.
- Tell us about the players’ state: how do Muriel and Gomez feel, with the latter training individually?
- We will check Gomez’s condition tomorrow because he had a rather difficult game against Sassuolo. Muriel had a high temperature, and the degree of his availability will also be visible tomorrow.
- What do you fear in Shakhtar’s performance and what could you say to 25 thousand fans who will come from Bergamo?
- Shakhtar are a strong team. The performance results and level of players confirm the opponents’ level. The Donetsk team have long been competing at this level, in the Champions League. Meanwhile, we are newcomers in the competition, and, probably, we can learn more from them than they can learn from us. The opponents are better adapted to participation in this kind of international competitions. I think that the Champions League is a gift for Atalanta. I hope to get not just pleasure, but also some points, and our fans will remember tomorrow’s night!
- What conclusions have you drawn after the match in Zagreb and what led to such an amazing outcome of 0-4?
- Apparently, we weren’t ready for the high performance level displayed by the Champions League teams. We drew certain conclusions, which was noticeable in our recent league games. Of course, the defeat was painful but quite useful. We will try to play well, and then to draw conclusions as well.
- You always repeat that the Champions League means a high level. What has changed for you after Zagreb?
- Like I said, many things changed. We showed that in Serie A. I want to emphasize once again: the Champions League is the best tournament in the world thanks to the clubs that play in it. If you take part in this kind of competition, you must be ready. For example, two years ago we played in the Europa League with no experience at all. But the lessons that we learned back then allowed us to achieve results in subsequent seasons. I guess we will learn many lessons from this competition.
- Who will appear on the pitch? Will you consider those who had some rest, or will all the top footballers play?
- We count on the 16 people available.
- You promised the fans a great evening. Aren’t you afraid of the San Siro effect?
- We are not afraid to play here, just as we were not afraid in Zagreb. We deserve to be here and produce some pretty good results. 25 thousand of our fans in the stands of San Siro is a positive factor. I hope for a great game.
- You are playing the Ukrainian team, and it would be logical to see Ruslan Malynovskyi at the press conference. It seems to us in Ukraine, that you undervalue him. What did Ruslan tell you about Shakhtar?
- He revealed every secret, and we know everything about you! Zapata is present at the press conference because he is the person I would like to show. Malynovskyi is a very good player, but he is still not in his best form. Maybe we'll see him tomorrow. He had a great start, but it’s not easy to start playing in the Italian team, to adapt to the new style. I expect only the best things from him.
- Recently in Rome, you defeated a former Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca. What do you think will be decisive tomorrow: fitness, tactic, technique, or mental approach?
- We know about the results that Fonseca achieved with Shakhtar. He started quite well at Roma, but the team is now in a rather interesting atmosphere. In our match, it was we who delivered a good result, while Roma are still working on their play with the new coach. Regarding the second question: tomorrow everything should be present on the field, we have no right to miss any of those aspects.
- We’re facing a really important game because everyone knows the outcome of the meeting in Zagreb. We are in a difficult situation after the defeat. This is a tough group with only six games - there is no room for error.
- The recent games were very intense. In this regard, will we see any new faces on the pitch tomorrow?
- Right, all the matches were intense, but they were not as decisive as the one that awaits us tomorrow. We expect a high-profile game. We understand that Shakhtar also lost at home in the first round and that they also need a result. We will attack and defend. As for the ‘new faces’, I can say that the team squad includes 16 players, not just 11 players, so they can replace one another.
- Tell us about the players’ state: how do Muriel and Gomez feel, with the latter training individually?
- We will check Gomez’s condition tomorrow because he had a rather difficult game against Sassuolo. Muriel had a high temperature, and the degree of his availability will also be visible tomorrow.
- What do you fear in Shakhtar’s performance and what could you say to 25 thousand fans who will come from Bergamo?
- Shakhtar are a strong team. The performance results and level of players confirm the opponents’ level. The Donetsk team have long been competing at this level, in the Champions League. Meanwhile, we are newcomers in the competition, and, probably, we can learn more from them than they can learn from us. The opponents are better adapted to participation in this kind of international competitions. I think that the Champions League is a gift for Atalanta. I hope to get not just pleasure, but also some points, and our fans will remember tomorrow’s night!
- What conclusions have you drawn after the match in Zagreb and what led to such an amazing outcome of 0-4?
- Apparently, we weren’t ready for the high performance level displayed by the Champions League teams. We drew certain conclusions, which was noticeable in our recent league games. Of course, the defeat was painful but quite useful. We will try to play well, and then to draw conclusions as well.
- You always repeat that the Champions League means a high level. What has changed for you after Zagreb?
- Like I said, many things changed. We showed that in Serie A. I want to emphasize once again: the Champions League is the best tournament in the world thanks to the clubs that play in it. If you take part in this kind of competition, you must be ready. For example, two years ago we played in the Europa League with no experience at all. But the lessons that we learned back then allowed us to achieve results in subsequent seasons. I guess we will learn many lessons from this competition.
- Who will appear on the pitch? Will you consider those who had some rest, or will all the top footballers play?
- We count on the 16 people available.
- You promised the fans a great evening. Aren’t you afraid of the San Siro effect?
- We are not afraid to play here, just as we were not afraid in Zagreb. We deserve to be here and produce some pretty good results. 25 thousand of our fans in the stands of San Siro is a positive factor. I hope for a great game.
- You are playing the Ukrainian team, and it would be logical to see Ruslan Malynovskyi at the press conference. It seems to us in Ukraine, that you undervalue him. What did Ruslan tell you about Shakhtar?
- He revealed every secret, and we know everything about you! Zapata is present at the press conference because he is the person I would like to show. Malynovskyi is a very good player, but he is still not in his best form. Maybe we'll see him tomorrow. He had a great start, but it’s not easy to start playing in the Italian team, to adapt to the new style. I expect only the best things from him.
- Recently in Rome, you defeated a former Shakhtar manager Paulo Fonseca. What do you think will be decisive tomorrow: fitness, tactic, technique, or mental approach?
- We know about the results that Fonseca achieved with Shakhtar. He started quite well at Roma, but the team is now in a rather interesting atmosphere. In our match, it was we who delivered a good result, while Roma are still working on their play with the new coach. Regarding the second question: tomorrow everything should be present on the field, we have no right to miss any of those aspects.
We want to transfer our ideas to the field and to prove ourselves. We hope to show some quality football and the team’s playing style. The recent meetings in Serie A were really difficult, but they showed what kind of club Atalanta is
Duvan Zapata, forward:
- I was preparing for the match in the same way as for the game against Dinamo. Tomorrow's game will be very eventful. We want to transfer our ideas to the field and to prove ourselves. We hope to show some quality football and the team’s playing style. The recent meetings in Serie A were really difficult, but they showed what kind of club Atalanta is.
- Currently, you play much better than last year. Did you change your approach to training?
- Yes, this time I’ve approached my training in a completely different way and can see the result that I like, so I want to use it. As for the missed chance in Zagreb, I reviewed the episode – I was out of luck there as well ... Now I’m thinking not about the past, but about the upcoming match, and I hope to convert all the chances that we create.
- Does any credit go to the manager for your excellent form?
- I am really happy with my form, but I still have room for growth. I work every day. It’s true that some credit goes to the manager and the whole team who were able to support me, understand me, and give me time for adaptation.
- I was preparing for the match in the same way as for the game against Dinamo. Tomorrow's game will be very eventful. We want to transfer our ideas to the field and to prove ourselves. We hope to show some quality football and the team’s playing style. The recent meetings in Serie A were really difficult, but they showed what kind of club Atalanta is.
- Currently, you play much better than last year. Did you change your approach to training?
- Yes, this time I’ve approached my training in a completely different way and can see the result that I like, so I want to use it. As for the missed chance in Zagreb, I reviewed the episode – I was out of luck there as well ... Now I’m thinking not about the past, but about the upcoming match, and I hope to convert all the chances that we create.
- Does any credit go to the manager for your excellent form?
- I am really happy with my form, but I still have room for growth. I work every day. It’s true that some credit goes to the manager and the whole team who were able to support me, understand me, and give me time for adaptation.