Gian Piero Gasperini defines what he considers to be ‘like a trophy’ for Atalanta after they knocked Liverpool out to reach the Europa League semi-final. ‘The lads think like me.’
The first leg was an historic triumph, as La Dea ran out 3-0 winners with a Gianluca Scamacca brace and Mario Pasalic goal.
They knew that did not necessarily mean the tie was over, and Liverpool did win on the night at the Gewiss Stadium through an early Mohamed Salah penalty, but could add no more to their tally and were eliminated 3-1 on aggregate.
It is the first time Atalanta are through to the semi-finals of a UEFA tournament since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1988 and they will face either Olympique Marseille or Benfica.
It also means Italy now mathematically have five Champions League teams in the new expanded tournament next season.
“We are very happy to have given our contribution over the years. We eliminated a great coach and a great team, we had heart and a wonderful crowd helping us tonight. We are very happy and from tomorrow will think about the next games,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“I thought that we gave away a good dozen of these naïve penalties this season, it felt like another off day. Instead, we built a fantastic performance after that penalty and should’ve scored goals, as there were the spaces to score them tonight as well, just like in Liverpool.
“It was a bit of a frenetic match. There are different ways to defend, either sitting back or going to press them high, and we chose the latter option. We were physically strong and kept up the tempo.”
Was this passage to the semi-finals the high point of Gasperini’s career so far?
“In my career there might not be trophies, but there are a few medals and I think this will deserve a medal.”
Atalanta are also in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia, even if they lost the first leg 1-0 to Fiorentina.
“Without doubt we care about winning something, but the trophy also is seeing the unity of these lads. At half-time, I asked them if they wanted to drop back a bit and defend deeper if they were feeling the pressure, but they said absolutely not! That is a trophy for me, because they think like me, they are in positions and approaches that they enjoy.
“When a club like ours manages to get results well beyond the history of Atalanta and Bergamo, I have to consider this exceptional for my career, for Bergamo and for everyone.”
There were fireworks over the stadium at the final whistle and Jurgen Klopp seemed genuinely pleased for Atalanta, congratulating Gasperini and the local fans.