Liverpool-Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp praises Gian Piero Gasperini
Liverpool-Atalanta, Jurgen Klopp praises Gian Piero Gasperini
Liverl coach Jurgen Klopp praises his colleague from Atalanta Gian Piero Gasperini on the eve of tomorrow night’s Europa League quarterfinal first leg match at Anfield, recalling the direct doubleheader played in 2020 in the group stage.
"Atalanta is no longer the same as it was in 2020, but in Bergamo there's still Gasperini who is doing an incredible job,” says Klopp. It doesn't happen often, as it does for me here, to stay for so long at the helm of a team. You have to experience a company and leave it at the best possible time, creating a culture. Gasperini is still doing that. We played in Bergamo during the Covid, in a particularly serious situation, and I am happy that in a week we will find Atalanta again in a full stadium. Forò this double challenge è happened three and a half years ago, we are no longer the same team as then”.
“There were probably about 1,500 games in that time, so I can’t compare myself to the team we played with so long ago. But for sure tomorrow's will be a difficult match for both formations. Atalanta has changed some players and defends differently, although they remain very dangerous in attack, è a very organized team but we are not the same either. Playing against Atalanta è like going to the dentist, as Guardiola says? Also facing us è like going to the dentist, believe me".
" We just have to think about playing the game tomorrow and winning it and then going through the round. It will be an open game for sure and I have not decided yet who will play. We are not rushing the return of Diogo Jota and Alexander-Arnold: they have to be recovered in the best match rhythm, in the coming weeks we will see”. Finally, about the possibility of coaching in Italy: "Of that country I know only the food, and as for my future as a manager, ask me the same question in a year", jokingly closes the German coach.
