WARSAW, POLAND - AUGUST 13: Gian Piero Gasperini coach of Atalanta Bergamo during a training session before UEFA Super Cup 2024 at National Stadium on August 13, 2024 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)
WARSAW, POLAND - AUGUST 13: Gian Piero Gasperini coach of Atalanta Bergamo during a training session before UEFA Super Cup 2024 at National Stadium on August 13, 2024 in Warsaw, Poland. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini believes that no team can ever call themselves ‘favourites’ when playing against Real Madrid, even though La Dea are the stronger side on recent form, but he admits that he expects a ‘different’ game to the 2-0 Super Cup loss against Los Blancos back in August.
Atalanta will host Real Madrid at the Gewiss Stadium in the sixth round of Champions League fixtures beginning this week.
Though there have been some concerns around Carlo Ancelotti and his Madrid side in recent months, Gasperini finds it difficult to admit that Atalanta are the ‘better’ side.
Gasperini: ‘No team can call themselves favourites against Real Madrid’
“No team can call themselves favourites when they play against Real Madrid. We come to play in a great match, in our stadium, it’s a gem for us. It’s a fantastic event for the people of Bergamo,” Gasperini said during his pre-match press conference, reported via TMW.
Real Madrid's Uruguayan midfielder #08 Federico Valverde (C) celebrates with teammates scoring during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Real Madrid and Atalanta BC in Warsaw, on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Uruguayan midfielder #08 Federico Valverde (C) celebrates with teammates scoring during the UEFA Super Cup football match between Real Madrid and Atalanta BC in Warsaw, on August 14, 2024. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)
“We have to put these suggestions to one side, we know we’re playing against a strong team. The standings, as they are at the moment, are temporary.
“We’re happy, but thinking that Atalanta are superior to Real Madrid is going a bit too far. We’ll do our best to get a result, but we’re cautious, the euphoria surrounding us is a bit exaggerated.”
Atalanta lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in the Super Cup in August, but they made several additions in the transfer window after that, and have also picked up an impressive run of form since then, which has included nine consecutive victories in Serie A and the Champions League.
“At the time, the Super Cup seemed like the highest point in the club’s history,” Gasperini said.
“We weren’t in brilliant shape then because of the transfer market situation, but we were able to play a good game for a solid hour. Then we brought in other players and many have risen in levels. I think it will be a different game to the one in August.”
Responding to questions of what the Atalanta management asks of him, Gasperini replied: “The President has never asked anything of me, it’s amazing. He’s never asked for anything in terms of results, he always points to attitudes and togetherness. It might seem banal, but I think it’s one of his strengths.”
There was also an injury update on the Atalanta team. Scamacca is still out long-term, and there has been a set-back in Giorgio Scalvini’s recovery.
BERGAMO, ITALY - NOVEMBER 04: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC inspects the pitch prior to the Serie A TIM match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta BC inspects the pitch prior to the Serie A TIM match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on November 04, 2023 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
“Scamacca is fine, his recovery is going well. Unfortunately Scalvini had a problem with his shoulder today. He had a sub-dislocation, so he won’t be there tomorrow. Apart from Cuadrado, we’re all ready. Everybody who has been called up is available.”
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