Gosens: ‘After 20 minutes vs Liverpool, I was cooked, magical Atalanta’ | OneFootball

Union Berlin’s Robin Gosens remembered Atalanta’s historic win over Liverpool at Anfield, reflecting on two moments ahead of the upcoming Europa League clash between the English and Italian clubs.

La Dea have been undefeated in their European campaign this term but now face a tall task as they look to spoil the party at Anfield, hungry for victory as they look to progress to the semi-finals. The Reds are desperate to lift silverware this term to celebrate Jurgen Klopp’s era ahead of his summer exit.

Gosens was part of the Atalanta squad that beat Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield in the Champions League group stage back in November 2020, a match that’ll surely give Gian Piero Gasperini and his players hope ahead of their Europa League quarter-final clash.

Gosens looks back

Speaking on page 13 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Gosens first looked back at Atalanta’s win over Liverpool at Anfield.

From that evening, I have two images in my eyes: Anfield empty due to the pandemic and my goal. An unforgettable evening from both a human and professional point of view.

“We felt the responsibility for the people of Bergamo who at that time was suffering greatly due to Covid. And we gave everything to be able to give people a smile. It was a magical moment.”

He was asked what immediately struck him about Liverpool.

“The intensity, without a doubt. After 20 minutes, I approached Djimsiti and told him: ‘I’m already cooked’.

“After all, the Premier League is a league that focuses on intensity and the pace, it’s difficult to play against English teams due to their quality and physical fitness.”

Gosens recalled the work of Gasperini and how that’ll impact the upcoming match.

“At the time he told us to enjoy the moment first and foremost without feeling the pressure. It doesn’t happen often that we play in stadiums like Anfield, so we had to enjoy the moment. Today Liverpool have changed in their men, but not their spirit.

“There is always Jurgen Klopp, with his identity, high pressing, intensity, quality and speed in his plays. But Atalanta also has their identity with Gasperini, aggression, speed, talented players up front, a coach who knows how to prepare and read the matches perfectly.

“It will be a good match, I won’t miss it in front of the TV. And I hope that Atalanta progresses to the semi-finals in a week.”

Gosens spoke about the qualities of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

“Salah is a champion, scoring so many goals regularly every season is not easy. And up close he has crazy explosiveness, it will be essential to double up on him like Djimsiti and I did in 2020.

“Otherwise, he risks becoming uncatchable. Van Dijk is a giant, but not just physically. Even humanly, you can’t stay at those levels for years if you don’t have a certain depth.”

Finally, Gosens reflected on his time at Inter and discussed his desire to return to Italy one day.

“I’m fine at Union Berlin, even if things aren’t going as we would’ve liked. We had different expectations, the first thought for me now is to avoid relegation. On a personal level, I’m happy to have played consistently, which I hadn’t done with Inter.

“Of course I miss Italy. I’m German, but I also feel a bit Italian. My mentality is Italian. It’s magical to live there, I have excellent memories both in Bergamo, where I left heart, and in Milan. For my future it is early, as said now it is time to think about saving ourselves at Union.

“Then there will be the European Championship. Only then will I organize my ideas and decide the best path for my career and my family. In 2026 there is the World Cup… If I decide to change teams, I will only do it for an Italian club.”