Percassi credits Gasperini with ‘historic’ Atalanta triumph in Liverpool

Atalanta director Luca Percassi says the 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield will ‘go down in history’ and credits Gian Piero Gasperini with getting the best out of his players.

La Dea emerged with the huge result in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final last night, as Gianluca Scamacca bagged a brace before Mario Pasalic tapped in the rebound from a save on Ederson.

The squad returned to Bergamo this afternoon along with circa 2,000 Atalanta supporters who had made the trip to Merseyside.

“It was a magical night for everyone and will go down in history as one of the greatest moments for Atalanta,” CEO Percassi told Sky Sport Italia.

They had already won 2-0 at Anfield in the Champions League in 2020-21, but that was in the group stage and the stadium was empty due to the pandemic, so this had a very different feeling.

“It is such a significant result that it is difficult to explain, although we know full well that there is still a second leg to be played and Liverpool are a very strong team. The fantastic thing is that we will be able to fight for qualification in Bergamo.”

Scamacca was signed after his disappointing spell at West Ham United, but after a difficult start to life with Atalanta, he has flourished along with Milan flop Charles De Ketelaere.

“We always had great faith in Gianluca,” added Percassi.

“All the individual performances for Atalanta come from the great style of football that the coach gives to the team. The collective performance helps the individuals to rise up and they always manage to astound us.”