BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, watches on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, watches on during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini admits Atalanta feel ‘a little disappointed’ to have lost to Real Madrid in a 3-2 thriller, but that just shows how much they have grown. ‘There are many positives.’
La Dea were determined to show they could put up more of a fight than the 2-0 UEFA Super Cup defeat on August 14 in Warsaw and they certainly did that.
It was a battle royal in Bergamo, Atalanta paying largely for the two goals in three minutes from Vinicius Junior – with the aid of a ricochet off Ederson – and Jude Bellingham.
A Charles De Ketelaere penalty had cancelled out the Kylian Mbappé opener, with Ademola Lookman leaving it open, but Mateo Retegui missed a sitter with the last kick of the game.
Gasperini saw a great game of football
BERGAMO, ITALY - DECEMBER 10: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Both teams wanted to play football, there was no time-wasting or simulation, we both tried to win with our strengths. It was a great game of football,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“Naturally, there is a little disappointment, but we’re learning so much from these matches. We are just missing those tiny details, but we played with heart against great champions. We emerge defeat in the result, but not in the performance, and it will help us make another small step forward.”
Real Madrid were made to work hard throughout the match, pressing them all over the pitch.
“I think we improved from Warsaw, we felt the possibility of victory after the equaliser, as we created dangerous situations. I felt we could’ve been a bit more clinical in the first half, but these are all situations we can learn from. The performance was excellent, we gave our all and almost scored at the last minute.
“There are many positives, it is motivation to keep improving. We were moving the ball around too slowly and Real Madrid closed up well, so we had to speed it up and pull them out of shape,” noted Gasperini.
“We held the initiative well and could’ve been more dangerous in front of goal, but it was a real teachable experience for us, that is for sure. We’re sad to have lost after a long run of positive results and we know that we had the chance to equalise, that’s frustrating too.
“It is no secret Real Madrid can score with a tiny bit of space, we were a bit unlucky on the second goal with that ricochet. That and the third goal sapped some energy from us, but we got it back and kept pushing.
“If they won, it’s because they still have that little bit more, but our objective over time is to realise that we can play against anyone, whether it’s Real Madrid, Inter, Manchester City or Barcelona – we’re closer to their level now and can have our chance to get a result,” continued Gasperini.
Atalanta are still doing well on 11 points, but now have Sturm Graz and a very difficult trip to Barcelona.
At the final whistle, the crowd at the Gewiss Stadium gave their players a standing ovation.
“It was an exceptional night, a festival of football and everyone ended the game feeling satisfied they had seen a great match. That is one of our main objectives,” concluded Gasperini.
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