Gian Piero Gasperini is without Josip Ilicic against Fiorentina and admits Atalanta have been distracted by the Champions League. ‘Players are not machines.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
La Dea can finally focus on Serie A for a few months, having secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 with victories away to Liverpool and Ajax.
Gian Piero Gasperini is without Josip Ilicic against Fiorentina and admits Atalanta have been distracted by the Champions League. ‘Players are not machines.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
La Dea can finally focus on Serie A for a few months, having secured their place in the Champions League Round of 16 with victories away to Liverpool and Ajax.
“Every game at this level gives you something in terms of experience and helps you to grow,” said the coach in his press conference.
“It’s important to read situations, as we picked up five points in the last six rounds, which are numbers worthy of relegation, with difficulties scoring goals that we’d never had before. Football evolves based on the characteristics of the players, who are not machines.
“Undoubtedly, the Champions League took up a lot of our focus and energy over these two months, but we always tried to do our best.
“I see an excess of criticism after a draw with Spezia. When I say we need to raise the bar, I don’t mean results, but rather technique, physicality, athleticism, tactics, playing in different ways, all the things we can do individually and as a team. That is raising the bar, not the final results.”
Fiorentina are struggling badly too, even after replacing Beppe Iachini with Cesare Prandelli.
“They signed some quality players, did very well in the first half against Genoa, and we continue to see in Serie A this season very balanced games, no matter who the names of the clubs are. Every match is tough for every team this season.”
Mario Pasalic and Aleksei Miranchuk are still out of action, while Josip Ilicic is also ruled out by a “fever and sore throat.”