Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini addressed the press ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Fiorentina. His comments were reported by TMW.
“Playing in the new stadium 112 days later is important,” Gasperini said. “It’s a fantastic structure. Tomorrow will be a celebration, and credit must go to Antonio Percassi. He remains the most important figure for Atalanta. While other presidents have been significant, he has given something extraordinary.”
Gasperini acknowledged the significance of the new stadium for the club and its fans. “Percassi did it because Atalanta is a fundamental part of his life, a gesture of great love towards everyone,” he stated.
“When a new stadium is built, people often think of commercial returns, but this facility was made to give a home to its supporters. It was a difficult gesture, marked by great generosity. Starting tomorrow, Bergamo will have an important point of pride, giving a great sense of belonging, which is vital for Atalanta,” Gasperini added.
On his Ballon d’Or nomination, Gasperini expressed his gratitude. “For me, it’s an extraordinary achievement, as it’s a global recognition in football,” he remarked. “It’s not just for the Europa League win; I consider it a recognition of my career and what I’ve accomplished over the years. I’m very grateful to everyone who helped me reach this goal.”
Regarding players Kolasinac and Djimsiti, the manager remained optimistic. “Yes, we’ll see today. It’s clear they’re coming to the game a bit off, but all those called up are available. Lookman has been out for a while and has just returned, but he doesn’t need much time. We’ll see if he plays from the start or during the match,” he commented.
Discussing Zaniolo’s situation, Gasperini noted, “We were several weeks behind with him due to various injuries. Even in the first week of the break, he trained separately. However, he has returned well. It’s a bit of a fresh start for him, now it’s a chance to begin anew with all the hopes we had for his arrival.”
On Cuadrado and Samardzic, Gasperini shared his expectations, “I would be satisfied if he manages to bring his presence and quality to this team. I don’t know if he’ll have the same impact as Kolasinac, but he can significantly help us. He’s a great professional.”
Regarding Samardzic, Gasperini was candid. “We’ll discover his role as we go along,” he said, laughing. “There are ten new outfield players. The market dictated that, and we must start from there. There are no excuses, such as time needed for integration. We need to play, and matches are crucial. We must quickly assemble the characteristics of the new players.”
He continued, “I don’t know if Samardzic can play as a trequartista or midfielder. These are all opinions. Everyone has their own, and I respect them all, but I have my own and I base my decisions on that.”