Gasperini wants fully focused Atalanta against Shakhtar Donetsk | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini warns Atalanta are trying to ‘bring new players in gradually’ and need to be fully focused for the Champions League meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk.

It kicks off on neutral turf in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday at 17.45 UK time (16.45 GMT).

The coach said that he expected the first few months of the season to see his team ‘blow hot and cold’ after mixed results, including the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in Bergamo.

“We had started well after the break for international duty with the games against Fiorentina and Arsenal, them we tumbled against Como and played well in Bologna, albeit snatching the result late on,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Ours is a squad with many new players who we are bringing in gradually.”

Among those new stars are Marco Brescianini, who is out inured, and Nicolò Zaniolo.

“Zaniolo has been out since April and when he first arrived, he struggled even to run. It takes patience. It’s a pity about Brescianini, he had been doing well. When there are 10-11 new players, some will step up sooner than others, but the important thing is that Atalanta every time wants to regenerate.”

New Champions League a test for Gasperini’s Atalanta

The format of the Champions League this season has one large table, with teams playing eight different opponents – four at home and four away.

Shakhtar Donetsk started their European campaign in Italy, holding Bologna to a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Dall’Ara when Lukasz Skorupski saved a penalty.

“Every game is difficult, as you are against teams who are accustomed to winning. Shakhtar Donetsk have a lot of Brazilian players, we already saw how good they were against Bologna, so it’s certainly a tough test.

“They are not at the same level as Arsenal, but they have a lot of tradition, a great scouting network and are well-prepared.”

There is a recurring theme in the difficulties that Atalanta have been having this season, as they often concede goals straight after the half-time break.

“Evidently we need to be more focused. It’s a situation that repeated itself quite a few times, so we must pay attention,” added Gasperini.