Yahoo Sports Gasperini: ‘Atalanta can see Champions League finish line, but not there yet’
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini warns ‘the finish line is within sight, but we are not there yet’ ahead of the Champions League encounter with Sturm Graz.
It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 17.45 GMT.
La Dea have amassed three wins, two draws and a defeat in the Champions League so far, so sit in 13th place on 11 points.
They are on track for the play-offs, but still also within reach of the direct access to the Round of 16 with a top eight finish.
Gasperini aiming high with Atalanta in Europe
“We have done very well in the Champions League, but we are missing a few points to close the deal and hope to do it tonight,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
This is the first Sturm Graz competitive match in five weeks, as the Austrian League has been on a winter break, while Atalanta failed to win in their last five official games.
“There are no easy games in Serie A, let alone in the Champions League. Sturm Graz have dominated their domestic league for years, they caused us all sorts of problems in the Europa League last season, so we must be on our toes,” added Gasperini.
“The finish line is within sight, but we are not there yet. I want to see a team that is concentrated and intense, because Sturm Graz have pace and I don’t want us to make life complicated for ourselves.”
With injuries piling up and squad rotation necessary, Gasperini gives the first start to 19-year-old youth product Marco Palestra.
“He is a very interesting lad who played in Serie C last season, has often trained with us and it wasn’t easy for him to find space before, but he has been very consistent this season and he can improve by playing. This is a good opportunity this evening, but one that he has earned by reaching the right maturity level for this match.”
