Category: Atalanta

Atalanta consider options should Gasperini go

May 9, 2022

Following Gian Piero Gasperini’s confession that ‘things have changed’ at Atalanta with new owners, Ivan Juric and Igor Tudor are emerging as possible replacements for next season.

Gasp was the symbol over six years of a complete revamp of the squad, which went from relegation candidates to regulars in the Champions League.

They reached the Europa League quarter-final this term and the Coppa Italia Final last season, but the arrival of co-owner Stephen Pagliuca to buy up circa 50 per cent of the club from the Percassi family promises the start of a new era.

It is not yet clear whether Gasperini will be a part of it, as he himself confessed to DAZN after yesterday’s 3-1 win away to Spezia.

“I am very fond of this club and these fans, I signed a contract in November, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club, what they decide.

“We have never talked about it, I am open to any option. If we go forward like this, I will continue with enthusiasm.”

If Gasperini does part company with Atalanta, the replacements would also probably be within Serie A and of a similar tactical credo.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the candidates include current Torino boss Juric, who was Gasperini’s player at Genoa and assistant manager for a while, effectively his student.

Another would be Tudor, who has done so well since taking over Hellas Verona just a month into the season.

Maldini: ‘Pressure is on, but Milan can handle it’

May 8, 2022

Paolo Maldini admits the pressure is on Milan going into the final two rounds, but they proved with the comeback win against Verona that they ‘can handle it.’

The Rossoneri retained their two-point lead at the top of the table with this evening’s 3-1 victory at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Marco Davide Faraoni had put Hellas in front, but a pair of Sandro Tonali goals on Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi off the bench sealed it.

“With so much enthusiasm around us, the important thing now is to try to give a sense of calm,” the technical director told Milan TV.

“It was a match, unlike the one against Lazio, where we started very strong and dominated for the first 20-25 minutes, seeing a goal ruled marginally offside.

“If you go behind in that situation and you are not ready, it can spark a crisis. When there are so few matches left and you can see the finish line, if the team isn’t sufficiently mature to react in the right way, they could lose their heads.

“I really have to congratulate the lads, they did everything that was asked of them, including those who came in off the bench.”

Milan will be the Champions of Italy if they pick up at least four points in the remaining two games, at home to Atalanta and away to Sassuolo. Do they feel close?

“We are close because there are only two rounds left. These are not easy games, but neither was the one we played this evening,” added Maldini.

“I watched Atalanta today, they are alive and kicking, still challenging for Europe and full of top level players. We are playing at San Siro, a packed house.

“There will be a lot of pressure on us, but we can handle it.”

Maldini: ‘Pressure is on, but Milan can handle it’

May 8, 2022

Paolo Maldini admits the pressure is on Milan going into the final two rounds, but they proved with the comeback win against Verona that they ‘can handle it.’

The Rossoneri retained their two-point lead at the top of the table with this evening’s 3-1 victory at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Marco Davide Faraoni had put Hellas in front, but a pair of Sandro Tonali goals on Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi off the bench sealed it.

“With so much enthusiasm around us, the important thing now is to try to give a sense of calm,” the technical director told Milan TV.

“It was a match, unlike the one against Lazio, where we started very strong and dominated for the first 20-25 minutes, seeing a goal ruled marginally offside.

“If you go behind in that situation and you are not ready, it can spark a crisis. When there are so few matches left and you can see the finish line, if the team isn’t sufficiently mature to react in the right way, they could lose their heads.

“I really have to congratulate the lads, they did everything that was asked of them, including those who came in off the bench.”

Milan will be the Champions of Italy if they pick up at least four points in the remaining two games, at home to Atalanta and away to Sassuolo. Do they feel close?

“We are close because there are only two rounds left. These are not easy games, but neither was the one we played this evening,” added Maldini.

“I watched Atalanta today, they are alive and kicking, still challenging for Europe and full of top level players. We are playing at San Siro, a packed house.

“There will be a lot of pressure on us, but we can handle it.”

Florenzi: ‘Milan must focus on this moment’

May 8, 2022

Alessandro Florenzi warns Milan must not get ahead of themselves in the Scudetto race after beating Verona 3-1. ‘Focus on the here and now, what we need to do in this moment.’

Sandro Tonali had an early goal ruled offside, then scored twice to turn around the Marco Davide Faraoni opener, before Florenzi came off the bench to net an angled drive.

Tonali is the first player in Milan’s history to score two goals on his birthday, as he gave himself the ideal gift for his 22nd.

Serie A | Verona 1-3 Milan: Birthday boy Tonali conquers the Bentegodi

It also retains their two-point lead at the top of the table ahead of rivals Inter and puts Milan on 80 points for the first time since they won the Scudetto in 2011-12.

“This victory says a lot about this squad, but not everything, because the job is yet to be completed,” Florenzi told DAZN.

“We must enjoy this evening, because we deserve that, but from tomorrow start studying Atalanta carefully, because they are a great team and having a strong season.

“I think those who work deserve something in return. Over the last month, I’ve been working morning, noon and night, sacrificing my time with those who love me, so I could get back for the end of the season.

“I said before the game, there are many lads here who look like they’ve been Serie A veterans, but it’s their first or second season. I came into a group that was already full of great talents and they had people capable of giving them that balance.”

Milan will be the Champions of Italy if they pick up four points in their remaining two Serie A games.

“We mustn’t think about the future, only the present. Let’s not imagine what happens if they draw, if we win, it’s not going to get us far. We have to focus on the moment we are in right now. It is the moment to push hard, play with intensity, aggression, the way we did this evening. Keep focused on the next target, Atalanta.”

Florenzi was asked if he had seen many other groups with such unity as this Milan?

“Not one this young, no.”

Pioli defines Tonali strengths and Milan belief in Scudetto

May 8, 2022

Stefano Pioli describes Sandro Tonali’s strengths, how unpicking Verona tactically could be used against Atalanta and how Milan developed their ‘courage and belief’ in the Scudetto dream.

It was a rough start at the Bentegodi when Tonali’s opener was ruled offside and Marco Davide Faraoni instead put Verona in front.

However, Tonali got on the end of another two Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi came off the bench to seal the 3-1 victory.

Serie A | Verona 1-3 Milan: Birthday boy Tonali conquers the Bentegodi

“I am in love with my players, because I see the effort they put in every day, I know the journey we’ve been on. There’s another very tough one coming up, so we’re satisfied yes, but already need to find concentration for the next,” Pioli told DAZN.

This allows the Rossoneri to retain their two-point lead at the top of the table over Inter, and is their 10th victory of the season coming back from a trailing situation.

“Courage and belief come from your experience and your performances. For example, not taking the lead after 25 minutes, we didn’t feel anxious, because we knew that we were playing well and kept that spirit going to the end.

“This squad has step by step climbed the ladder, we’ve got to keep this concentration, determination and belief going for the final two games.”

Theo Hernandez was cutting inside more than usual, is that to counter Verona’s three-man defence and could it be used again with Atalanta next week?

“I think we played one of our best performances for 70-80 minutes against Atalanta last time, but they are one of the best squads in the league. They have a similar tactical approach to Verona, so it’s important to find the right characteristics within our squad to neutralise those strengths.”

Tonali had the best performance of his career, scoring two goals and having a third chalked offside, all on his 22nd birthday.

“He is young, but so strong. I said after two days of pre-season training, he was completely different to last term. These are young lads, many of us are experiencing this level for the first time and doing it in the right way, but we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“When coaches say it takes time to build a team, we also mean just getting to know our players and finding those characteristics that can be used. When we have two midfielders, we can attack more down the wings, whereas like this we can allow Tonali to surge forward and use the way he times those runs.

“The first day, I asked Sandro what his ideal position was, he said ‘people compare me to Andrea Pirlo, but I consider myself more of a Gennaro Gattuso.’ I think if we add in Daniele De Rossi to that mix, that completes him.”

Milan take on Atalanta next and this is a special fixture for Pioli and the Rossoneri.

“We are in the final stages. I think this Milan was born during the horrible, humiliating 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. That was when we realised what was needed to develop this team. It was one of the most negative moments of my career, but also one of the most valuable.”

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

May 8, 2022

Watch as Atalanta turn on the style to beat Spezia with Luis Muriel scoring and assisting for Mario Pasalic, but Daniele Verde pounced on some spectacularly suicidal defending.

Muriel combined with Ruslan Malinovskyi and sold Jakub Kiwior a dummy to break through, but all the Atalanta outfield players were in the opposition half when Verde went on the counter-attack to equalise.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Merih Demiral knocked down a free kick for fellow defender Berat Djimsiti’s header, with Jeremie Boga thumping the bar and Emmanuel Gyasi missing a sitter.

Mario Pasalic sealed it late on from a Muriel assist.

Serie A Highlights: Spezia 1-3 Atalanta

May 8, 2022

Watch as Atalanta turn on the style to beat Spezia with Luis Muriel scoring and assisting for Mario Pasalic, but Daniele Verde pounced on some spectacularly suicidal defending.

Muriel combined with Ruslan Malinovskyi and sold Jakub Kiwior a dummy to break through, but all the Atalanta outfield players were in the opposition half when Verde went on the counter-attack to equalise.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

Merih Demiral knocked down a free kick for fellow defender Berat Djimsiti’s header, with Jeremie Boga thumping the bar and Emmanuel Gyasi missing a sitter.

Mario Pasalic sealed it late on from a Muriel assist.

Gasperini: ‘I have a contract, but things have changed for Atalanta’

May 8, 2022

Gian Piero Gasperini refused to confirm he will be on the Atalanta bench next season. ‘I have a contract, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club.’

The tactician has transformed La Dea from a side yo-yoing between Serie A and B to regulars in the Champions League, this season reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

Following a 3-1 Serie A victory away to Spezia, the coach spoke to Sky Sport Italia about his future and was far from reassuring.

Serie A | Spezia 1-3 Atalanta: Muriel gets Dea back on track

“I am very fond of this club and these fans, I signed a contract in November, but clearly things have changed and it depends on the club, what they decide.

“We have never talked about it, I am open to any option. If we go forward like this, I will continue with enthusiasm.”

The changes are that half the club’s shares were sold to American investor Stephen Pagliuca, with new directors coming in and promises of big signings to reinforce the squad.

“Regardless of what happens with me or the players, I hope that Atalanta can keep growing and doing better. It’s not easy for a city like Bergamo to be recognised all over the world. We achieved extraordinary results, but if you ask me if Atalanta can win the Scudetto, Champions League or Europa League, I’ll tell you that happens for one in 10,000 teams.”

Despite this win, it remains entirely possible La Dea won’t even qualify for European football.

“We revolutionised the squad compared to six years ago and had so much success. Hearing critics talk about this as a failed season is a very strange way of looking at things.”

Atalanta were able to get the 3-1 win away to Spezia, but had conceded the equaliser with all their outfield players in the opposition half.

“These are the kinds of goals a coach should be ashamed of conceding,” added Gasperini.