Gian Piero Gasperini wants Atalanta on their toes against “dynamic” high-fliers Cagliari and feels the draw at Napoli “could be as fundamental as a victory.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We have to play this game well on a physical level, as it’s going to be played at a high tempo,” warned the coach in his press conference.
Gian Piero Gasperini wants Atalanta on their toes against “dynamic” high-fliers Cagliari and feels the draw at Napoli “could be as fundamental as a victory.”
It kicks off on Sunday at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
“We have to play this game well on a physical level, as it’s going to be played at a high tempo,” warned the coach in his press conference.
“Cagliari are a dynamic team. They lost Leonardo Pavoletti, but adapted with the pace of Giovanni Simeone, the danger of Joao Pedro and Radja Nainggolan’s shot from distance.
“It is very important that we improve on our marking in the penalty area, as too often we concede goals when we ought to be in position, not just on the counter-attack.”
The Orobici consolidated third place with their midweek 2-2 draw away to Napoli, even if the refereeing decisions caused a great deal of controversy.
“The problem is that with a cool head, the interpretation of any incident is totally different to the one you see on the field and that only increases debate.
“We need clarity, more organisation, but I don’t believe allowing coaches to demand the referee view an incident on VAR will solve anything, because what could you have seen from 70 metres away on the touchline to be so sure?
“We’re doing well this season in Serie A, but there are very strong teams in the running. Lazio and Roma are strong sides, Fiorentina and Milan could get back into it. We are happy, but it’s early days and things are still wide open.
“It’s only normal for us to struggle at the Stadio San Paolo, but the fact we were able to fight back and get the result against such a great team is something that gives us confidence going forward. It was a draw, but could be as fundamental as a victory.”