Gasperini: ‘Atalanta have belief in Champions League’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini reiterates how winning the Europa League made Atalanta ‘grow in confidence and self-belief’ in the Champions League too after crushing Young Boys 6-1 in Switzerland.

La Dea remain unbeaten in Europe so far this season, even if they did concede their first goal of the tournament with Silvere Ganvoula’s header on a corner.

It was otherwise a perfect evening in Bern, as Charles De Ketelaere contributed two goals and three assists, with Mateo Retegui also scoring twice, Sead Kolasinac and Lazar Samardzic completing the rout.

“We are in a good period of form in Italy and Europe, I’m happy with the performances and results we are getting,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Winning the Europa League last season helped us to grow in confidence, self-belief and then many new players arrived too who are improving. This is what’s behind the impressive form.

“Retegui was immediately decisive when he arrived, but today Kossounou and Cuadrado did really well, Samardzic scored an extraordinary goal. If we can manage to complete a team that was half transformed over the summer, with 11 players changed, these results help us speed up that process and give us the confidence to keep going.”

Gasperini sees Atalanta growth process

epa11742583 Charles De Ketelaere (ATA), center, celebrates his goal after scoring the 5-1 with teammates during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Switzerland’s BSC Young Boys and Italy’s Atalanta Bergamo, at the Wankdorf stadium in Bern, Switzerland, 26 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ANTHONY ANEX

Although Young Boys have zero points from six Champions League games, they were only beaten by a stoppage-time Marcus Thuram goal by Inter in October on this artificial turf.

“It is easy to say now that it looked easy, but Inter struggled here last month, so we were far from comfortable coming in. We knew that Real Madrid and Barcelona were coming up, so we had to get the points here and were fully concentrated,” continued Gasperini.

“Conceding a goal from a set play could’ve hit our confidence, but the team is solid and these points put us in line for the top 24. Then we’ll see.”

Atalanta have now won all three of their away games in the Champions League, stalling only with a pair of 0-0 home draws against Arsenal and Celtic.

They have 11 points from six rounds and put themselves in very good stead to earn automatic qualification for the Round of 16 as one of the top eight teams.

“There are some players who have been here so long and know us so well that they are coaches on the field, I could easily just leave them to it,” smiled Gasperini.

“But there are others who need to get to know the movements, the chain reactions, the timing. On top of that, we have always had a very strong locker room atmosphere where the behaviour and attitude is always based on values. No mistakes are allowed on that score and this is what makes me most proud.”

Their form is remarkable in Italy already with seven consecutive victories in Serie A, putting them one point off leaders Napoli.

However, Gasperini will be suspended for the next two Serie A matches after his red card for dissent, missing Roma and Milan clashes.

“That is a different matter entirely. I will just say that I have been coaching in Europe for eight years and nothing happened. Nothing. Nobody sends me off there.”