Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Atalanta that they risk ‘leaving themselves in the lurch’ if they lack focus or intensity against Sampdoria this evening.
Atalanta are Serie A’s form team right now with eight straight wins, all-but-securing them Champions League qualification for another season.
However, they face a Samp side who have won back-to-back matches and held the Dea to a goalless draw earlier in the campaign.
Gian Piero Gasperini has warned Atalanta that they risk ‘leaving themselves in the lurch’ if they lack focus or intensity against Sampdoria this evening.
Atalanta are Serie A’s form team right now with eight straight wins, all-but-securing them Champions League qualification for another season.
However, they face a Samp side who have won back-to-back matches and held the Dea to a goalless draw earlier in the campaign.
“The numbers say it all, but we still haven’t achieved any mathematical objectives,” Gasperini said at a press conference.
“Even the big teams have room for improvement, let alone us. The spirit of the team is very good.
“I also like how the new players have bedded in: this makes the overall team better.
“In our first game [against Samp], we found it tough building play. We had some problems. We know very well that Sampdoria are a good team.
“They’ve moved clear of the relegation zone with two wins. It won’t be an easy game and it’ll be no different from the clashes with Lazio and Napoli.
“Against Samp and Brescia, we have to find the points to get closer to our objective.”
The season has certainly changed since the two sides’ first meeting, with no fans present.
“It’s certainly a different league now than it was in March, especially in terms of frequency and difficulty. The atmosphere is different without fans, but it’s no less complicated.
“It’s difficult, but you have to be focused and be in a good way physically, otherwise you risk leaving yourself in the lurch.”