Gasperini: ‘ Extraordinary Atalanta, there will be time for the rest’ after 3rd place

epa12095081 Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini celebrates winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and AS Roma, in Bergamo, Italy, 12 May 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

Gian Piero Gasperini hails a ‘fantastic achievement’ for Atalanta to reach the Champions League for the fifth time in seven years, but remains tight-lipped over his future. ‘We’ll have the time to think about the rest.’

This was a potentially decisive crossroads in the fight for the top four, against a Roma side that were unbeaten in 19 rounds and could close to within two points of La Dea with a victory.

However, Ademola Lookman and substitute Ibrahim Sulemana secured the 2-1 victory, around a temporary Bryan Cristante equaliser. Did he think the ex-Cagliari midfielder would score the goal that guaranteed Champions League football?

“I am really happy for Sulemana, he has always shown extraordinary respect and patience, even though he hasn’t been given much playing time,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“He always did have this ability to shoot first time, he had another chance that was deflected a few minutes earlier. He hasn’t had much room, also because the players ahead of him in the pecking order have been working so hard and we didn’t have much rotation, but he remains a really positive lad. I am happy for him, this goal gives him a moment of great joy and he deserves it.”

Gasperini has transformed Atalanta’s fortunes

At the final whistle, Gasperini gathered the whole team in the centre circle to celebrate along with their fans at the Gewiss Stadium, reaching the Champions League for the fifth time in seven years.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for Atalanta. It’s true there were a few weeks where we were up there with Napoli and Inter, but I think this was the maximum target we could achieve.

“To do it with two rounds to spare, leaving behind the likes of Juventus, Milan, Lazio, Roma, Fiorentina and Bologna, is remarkable. The stadium was always full this season, we saw great enthusiasm in Serie A and Atalanta are in the Champions League again.

“It has been a long season, with some fantastic highs, a few lows that everyone had, but we got into the final sprint at the right time with four wins out of five.”

So much has been said about Gasperini’s future, because he admitted he would not extend the contract that expires in June 2026, so has this celebration made him want to continue in Bergamo?

“This evening is wonderful, now we have two weeks to enjoy it. I think we also did well in the Champions League, finishing ninth out of the top 36 teams in Europe and one point away from going directly into the Round of 16. That too was a big achievement, playing against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal. It was formidable.

“We are here to enjoy this campaign, then we’ll have the time and opportunity to think about the rest.”

Will Atalanta wait until the end of the campaign to have a party?

“We cannot waste time, we’ve got to celebrate now! As soon as you let me leave, I’ll go back to it!” concluded a smiling Gasperini.