Gasperini: ‘Atalanta fans should renew passports’

Gian Piero Gasperini tells Atalanta fans to ‘renew their passports’ ahead of the Europa League semi-final with Olympique Marseille, but the win over Salernitana was ‘more difficult to prepare.’

La Dea found it more difficult than expected in this visit to the rock bottom side in Serie A, who have already been doomed to relegation, as Loum Tchouna had given Salernitana the first half lead.

However, Teun Koopmeiners made the difference, as his cross was knocked down by Mario Pasalic for the Gianluca Scamacca tap-in, then the Dutchman swept in the winner five minutes later.

“This is what it’s like in Serie A and perhaps this was the toughest fixture of them all, because we had it all to lose,” Gasperini told DAZN after his 300^th Serie A match on the Atalanta bench.

“Salernitana are a good team, even if they’ve been relegated, and we failed to make the most of our early chances, which put us in a tricky situation. I am sad for Salernitana experiencing this situation, the stadium was so empty that it felt almost like the COVID period, but I’m sure they’ll rediscover their enthusiasm next season.”

This result allows Atalanta to catch Roma in fifth place on 60 points and they still have a game in hand to be played against Fiorentina, though scheduling that might not be possible until June.

Before that, this weekend there is a head-to-head between Roma and Atalanta that could be decisive, just days after both play in the Europa League semi-finals.

“It can become fundamental, but we’ve got another big game before that. We have to wipe the mental slate clean after every match and it’s difficult to do that consistently,” confessed Gasperini.

“That’s what made today’s game the most difficult to prepare, as it’s easier to get the team focused for Marseille or the Coppa Italia Final.”

Gasperini stretched thin

In such an extraordinarily packed fixture list, does Gasperini get to do any work in training with his players?

“Basically the only ones who train aren’t really playing. With the others, we try to go over a few small details, but for the most part it’s rest and recovery.”

Atalanta drew the first leg of the Europa League semi-final 1-1 at the Stade Velodrome, where Olympique Marseille are famously strong, so should they make the most of extra home advantage?

“It’s rare I have seen a stadium with such a powerful atmosphere that really pushes the team on, but we still need to be wary in the second leg. We’re confident that we can reach the Final, which would be an extraordinary result,” continued Gasperini.

“It’d be fantastic to have the people of Bergamo travel with us to Dublin for the Europa League Final. Usually, Finals are a celebration even before the game and that is what they asked of me from the first day I arrived here. Now I tell the fans to renew their passports…”

Atalanta are also in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus, which will be played in Rome on May 15.