Europa League, Atalanta-Sporting: Gian Piero Gasperini’s key take on the game

Europa League, Atalanta-Sporting: Gian Piero Gasperini’s key take

This is what Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said on the eve of the Europa League round of 16 return match with Sporting after the 1-1 draw in Lisbon.

"At home we have to bring out all the desire of the team and the city; to go ahead in Europe: it can have a decisive weight in a balanced match. Sporting è first in Portugal, they have individual and team values. We must make it clear that for Bergamo to go ahead in Europe è a great goal", remarks the Atalanta coach.

The Bergamasks, who had changed six men in Lisbon compared to the league round with Bologna and then changed five last Sunday at home to Juventus, will still make turnovers: "Musso canò return to goal as in Lisbon. There are too many close and time-consuming matches,” Gasperini explained. “Tomorrow then a winner has to come out, even after 120 minutes or penalties. Another aspect to be evaluated: there'è a privileged pool of penalty takers, but we will have to see who will be on the field at that time".

The Nerazzurri coach è is aware of the difficulty of the challenge: "All three previous matches, in the round and in the first leg, were balanced, each had its favorable moments – he closes -. There's always some details to work on, but by the fourth game the teams know each other well. Mistakes become as decisive as favorable plays".