Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini hit out at ‘offensive’ suggestions from Valencia that he put anyone in danger by travelling with COVID-19 symptoms.
There are calls from the Spaniards to have UEFA begin an investigation into Gasperini’s behaviour.
“It’s truly offensive to see this controversy stirred up,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia this evening.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini hit out at ‘offensive’ suggestions from Valencia that he put anyone in danger by travelling with COVID-19 symptoms.
There are calls from the Spaniards to have UEFA begin an investigation into Gasperini’s behaviour.
“It’s truly offensive to see this controversy stirred up,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia this evening.
“I know that I respected all the medical protocols. I remained in quarantine, like everyone else. We didn’t do the swabs, but when we had the blood tests in May, I discovered that I had encountered the virus.
“Looking back, I can only assume and deduce that March 10 was the period when it started, because I felt unwell, but no fever or respiratory problems. When I left Bergamo for the flight to Valencia, I felt absolutely fine.
“This is really an ugly situation for them to be stirring up.”
Gasp confessed to the Gazzetta dello Sport that he had felt “unwell” the day before the March 10 Champions League game at the Mestalla, then worse on the night.
He then returned to Bergamo and spent two days in bed before suddenly feeling energetic and strong.
As he didn’t have a fever at the time, he did not qualify for a COVID-19 swab, so his infection was only confirmed by a recent blood test for antibodies.
Tuttosport even put together a timeline suggesting that Gasperini and Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Sportiello probably picked up the coronavirus in Valencia rather than Bergamo.