Gasperini explains Atalanta rotations: ‘We care a lot, we have to score goals’ – Football Italia – February 15 latest

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta and Torino at Gewiss Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted that he needs a strong team available for the upcoming Champions League play-off second leg against Club Brugge, which is part of the reason why there were so many changes to his Atalanta team for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Cagliari in Serie A. 

Atalanta were held to a goalless draw at home to the 13th-placed Cagliari in a game that was missing in major chances until the final few minutes. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Gasperini admitted that Atalanta have a ‘numerical difficulty’ at the moment, with Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca, Daniel Maldini, Sead Kolasinac, Odillon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini all currently unavailable through injury. 

The coach also rested Charles De Ketelaere, Marten De Roon, Ederson, Davide Zappacosta, Raoul Bellanova and Berat Djimsiti for the 0-0 draw with Cagliari. 

Gasperini discusses Atalanta rotations in Cagliari stalemate

Discussing his team selection with DAZN after full-time, Gasperini said: “We could have got the points in this way, we have a bit of a numerical difficulty in attack at this time. We find it harder to win games, especially at home despite dominating for a long time, then we get this result. 

“The quality of the game was very good, we have to acknowledge that we are like this sometimes, we struggle to materialise in this type of game. We came out of this month in this way, and we’re struggling a little more, but the team will slowly but surely finish the second half of the season well.” 

The coach was also asked if he plans on watching either Lazio-Napoli or Juventus-Inter over the next two days. 

He replied with a statement of intent: “For the Scudetto? We believe in it, and we will try to do everything to win it.” 

He then hinted that his rotated team was because of the upcoming Champions League match against Club Brugge at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday. 

“We care a lot, especially after how the first leg ended. They have technical and athletic qualities. We have to score goals. Winning the game is not enough, and it’s become complicated with that ending. We have to try and do everything to get through the round, a round that on the eve of the match was within our reach.”