Atalanta coach Gasperini revisits Real Madrid defeat: We were never favourites | OneFootball

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini insists their Champions League defeat to Real Madrid is nothing to be ashamed of.

Gasperini says talk of Real being in crisis was overblown.

"The objective in the second leg was to keep it at 0-0 until at least half-time and then run a few more risks, but it was always going to be difficult. We were doing it, though," said Gasp.

“Real Madrid hadn't been at their best in recent games, but saying Atalanta were favourites beforehand was a bit much. When the decisive moment of the season came, Madrid changed."

Gasperini's decision to bench Pierluigi Gollini in favour of Marco Sportiello for the second leg raised was questioned.

“We had been conceding a few too many goals compared to the opportunities that were created against us, so we needed a change to get back on track.

“Atalanta have a precise identity and play at our tempo, but we're not the only ones in Italy with that style. Perhaps we do better in Europe because we like play to run and it annoys us to have the game stopped so often for free kicks. We prefer to keep it going without interruptions."