Gian Piero Gasperini insists Atalanta deserved more from their defeat to Bologna, but blames a ‘blackout’ for conceding two goals. ‘They took their chances and we did not.’
La Dea had taken the lead with the first goal from Ademola Lookman since his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty and seemed to be on track for an eighth consecutive home victory.
Instead, Bologna scored twice in just four minutes to turn it around with a Joshua Zirkzee penalty for the Teun Koopmeiners trip on Alexis Saelemaekers and a Lewis Ferguson low volley from the edge of the D.
“We put in a very good performance, the first half was extraordinary and the only issue was that blackout in the second half, but even then the reaction was positive,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“We could’ve been further ahead at half-time. Unfortunately, we lost when it came to the incidents, the penalty in particular was tough to swallow.
“In the space of three minutes we threw away a match that had been positive.”
It is the second consecutive defeat for Atalanta, following the midweek 4-0 hammering at the hands of Inter, and drops them down to sixth place behind Roma.
“With Inter we again opened the door for them, but this evening we always had the upper hand other than in those minutes. Aside from the result, the performance tonight was of a high level.
“Everyone recognises how good Bologna are, but I do not agree if people say they saw a different Atalanta to usual. We started very aggressive with a high press to stop them playing. Once we took the lead, we should’ve used the spaces better.
“Unfortunately, we are giving away too may penalties, really cheap ones.”
At least Lookman was back on the scoresheet and indeed in the starting XI for the first time since his Africa Cup of Nations adventure.
“Paradoxically, without him we had nine wins in 11 games, just to prove the individual doesn’t make all the difference,” replied Gasperini.
“It’s a pity today, we had everything required to get a good result, but we have to take the positives. Bologna are very smart at passing it around deep, drawing teams out and then finding the spaces to attack them. They made the most of their chances and we did not.”
There is little time to lick their wounds, as Atalanta are preparing for the Europa League Round of 16 and the Coppa Italia semi-final.
More must-reads: