Second European match forAtalanta by Gian Piero Gasperini, fresh from a 0-0 draw against Arsenal and in the Champions League and from another draw, caught at the end, against Bologna in the championship. The Nerazzurri coach and his team are expected on a neutral pitch in Germany in Gelsenkirchen to face the Ukrainians of Shakhtar Donetsk. Here are the full statements from the protagonists at the press conference on the eve.
Gasperini’s words
“Mainly these matches must be played well, then the result must be a consequence. I believe it is anything but a simple match, Shakhtar has tradition, occupies the second pot in the Champions League, has always attracted Brazilian players, strong young players who then you find them in great teams. It’s a different team than the one we met five years ago, but we’re different too, however they played an excellent match against Bologna too. We have to play with great attention, like all the matches of Champions”.
At what stage is Zaniolo in his integration?
“We played 3-4 games after the break, he has to take advantage of every piece of the game he plays, of every week of work, then the results are those of the pitch. The player’s evolution depends on the performances and the minutes he plays in the game”.
What did you see in particular about Shakhtar?
“It’s an excellent team, in the Champions League there are all strong teams, used to winning their respective championships. It’s undoubtedly a young team, in Bologna they interpreted the match well for long stretches.”
He spoke of greater clarity after Bologna.
“In Bologna I think we had an excellent first half, yes I was referring to that match, in the second half with numerical superiority we would have managed to score first with a little more clarity, even if in some situations we were unlucky. We scored a little too late, even though we had two opportunities. I want to add something about De Ketelaere. We need to think about a year ago, when he arrived and scored on his debut, but let’s also think about the presence he is giving now and all. The evolution he is having now, it is clear that he is a growing player, evolving, I want to see this from the young players, not only physical maturation, but also mentality and personality, he is always very involved and positive, these are great signs. He is a very positive boy, he feels he is in Atalanta, he is a good example for the team.”
The words of De Ketelaere
“I always feel responsible for helping the team, it’s an important moment of the season for me, to perform and try to win matches. Was the last goal in the Champions League against Club Brugge? With Milan I did a little more effort than in Belgium, but I had good performances in the Champions League when I was there, not always scoring, but doing well. Now it will be my second match with Atalanta in the Champions League, I will try to score.”