Prandelli on why Atalanta can win Serie A and Zaniolo celebration vs Roma | OneFootball

Former Italy coach Cesare Prendelli insists Atalanta will fight for the Serie A title this season and is not upset by Nicolò Zaniolo’s celebration against Roma: ‘He showed personality.’

La Dea are just one point below table leaders Napoli and won eight consecutive matches in Serie A.

They defeated the odds last season by winning the Europa League, and now they are among the most in-form teams in Italy and Europe, being unbeaten in the Champions League.

Football betting sites in the UK rate Atalanta highly, even if La Dea’s odds are naturally higher compared to those of Serie A’s most storied clubs such as Napoli, Inter, Juventus and Milan.

Nevertheless, ex-Atalanta and Italy coach Prandelli feels that something has changed for the Nerazzurri this term.

“This season, they know how to suffer,” he told Gazzetta.

“Atalanta have always been pretty to watch in the Gasperini cycle. However, they hardly got the three points when they could not play at their best. In these months, they’ve been able to win dirty games, even when the performance wasn’t great. The last time was in Rome the other day, but also against Monza and Udinese. Atalanta were not pretty, but efficient.

Prandelli and Balotelli during Euro 2012 (GETTY)

“I think it all starts with the cup victory in May. Winning the Europa League and dominating in the Final against a top team, unbeaten for the whole season, has given great awareness to the group,” continued Prandelli.

“The players know they are strong now and have everything to win, including the Scudetto.”

Their latest win against Roma was inspired by players coming off the bench as substitutes, including Nicolò Zaniolo.

“It was a nice signal because they won despite CDK, Lookman, and Retegui not being at their best,” argued Prandelli.

“Gasp has a deep team, and if we consider his ability to take the best out of every player, we can understand how strong this Atlanta team is.

“I liked Zaniolo in Rome. I was not disturbed by his celebration. On the contrary, it proved his personality. Don’t forget what he’s gone through, injuries and unhappy moments. Now, he is in the right place to bounce back. If there’s a coach who can make him return to the highest levels, it’s Gasperini.

“He’s a coach who doesn’t oblige the footballers to play with one system, but he tries to enhance their talents. De Ketelaere makes four or five different movements, but when he was in Milan, he was reduced to just two or three.”

Lastly, Prandelli named another top Atalanta player contributing to this season’s stunning results.

“Ederson has physicality, intelligence and quality. You see him regain possession in defence, and 40 seconds later, he’s 40 meters ahead for a shot on target. A real force of nature.”