Gritti: ‘Atalanta aware of our strength now, fans can dream’

Atalanta assistant manager Tullio Gritti admits their eighth consecutive Serie A victory gives them ‘awareness’ of their new level and fans have every right to dream of the Scudetto.

This is an extraordinary run of results for La Dea, who have now won their last eight Serie A games on the bounce and are the only side keeping up with leaders Napoli.

They are now closing on the club record of nine straight victories earned between February and July 2020.

They weren’t as sharp or dominant as usual at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma, but emerged with a 2-0 result thanks to a deflected Marten de Roon strike and the late Nicolò Zaniolo glancing header on a Juan Cuadrado corner.

Zaniolo was facing his former club and this created some tension when he celebrated wildly, taking off his shirt and running to the section of Atalanta supporters behind the goal.

Gritti sees Atalanta evolving

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini was in the stands for the first of a two-match touchline ban, so assistant Gritti was both on the bench and in the press area.

“This was the victory to give us awareness we have reached an important level. We suffered, because Roma have players worth far more than 13 points, they are going through a rough period, but remain a good team,” Gritti told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are very strong at the moment because we manage to hold out under pressure, but can then do damage when we go on the attack. The awareness of our strength goes all the way through the squad, those who start and come off the bench, giving us a very high level.”

Some of the fans were singing ‘we will win the tricolor’ in the stands this evening, so can Atalanta keep hiding from the Scudetto race when they are the only team keeping up the pressure on leaders Napoli?

“The fans are right to sing it, because it is their job to dream of the highest targets and this team has made them believe. We are currently in an incredible position, deservedly. As the coach always says, we’ll see where we are later on in the season,” added Gritti.

“Right now, our position makes us smile and we deserve to be there. It is all thanks to these lads, who are marvellous in every arena.”

Gasperini is regularly asked if this is the strongest Atalanta squad he’s ever had, so what does assistant manager Gritti think?

“These questions seem to be asked every year. I think we’ve had squads just as strong, albeit with different characteristics, and they achieved great results. They might not have the same particular style, but over the last nine years we have done great things.

“Admittedly, we’re higher up than usual, but these results have been earned by daily training and constant work. Whether it’s the strongest team or not, we leave that up to you to say.”

Atalanta now face Milan on Friday and Gasperini continues his touchline ban, so Gritti will again be on the touchline, not that he’s too happy about it.

“I will have to stand up for another hour and a half. I prefer to be seated…”