‘Atalanta face Liverpool with Cagliari spirit’

Gian Piero Gasperini warns Atalanta should face Liverpool within the Europa League with ‘the identical battling spirit’ that Cagliari confirmed to battle again and win at present.

It had began so effectively for La Dea, as Gianluca Scamacca flicked within the Ademola Lookman help to present them an early lead in Sardinia.

Nevertheless, they have been in any other case wasteful in assault and the fatigue of the midweek Coppa Italia semi-final defeat to Fiorentina started to take its toll within the last levels.

Tommaso Augello tapped in on the again put up and late on Nicolas Viola received between defenders for a glancing header on Zito Luvumbo’s cross to show it round.

“We conceded a foul purpose, as earlier than that Cagliari had not likely induced us any issues, but it surely gave them a second wind and we struggled,” stated Gasperini in his press conference.

“We had the feeling that Cagliari had this combating spirit. We had a number of scoring alternatives, however lacked high quality upfront. Maybe a draw would’ve been the honest outcome.”

The coach raised eyebrows by introducing Mitchel Bakker as an alternative after which taking him off once more simply earlier than Cagliari scored the winner.

“He was struggling and couldn’t even soar for the headers. He can not play like this, he was not in any situation to proceed.”

This outcome leaves Atalanta in sixth place with a sport in hand, to be performed towards Fiorentina, however they fall away from Roma and Bologna, with Napoli closing up behind them.

The issues maintain coming for Atalanta, as Davide Zappacosta and Marten de Roon can be suspended in Serie A, however at the least they appeared to keep away from new accidents going into the Europa League quarter-final towards Liverpool.

“We should use Cagliari for example, as a result of if we wish to get one thing from Liverpool, we have to face that match with the identical combating spirit that Cagliari confirmed towards us at present.”