Atalanta's five-goal triumph doesn't provide a significant boost for Gasperini
Atalanta is gearing up for a crucial Champions League fixture against Club Brugge, scheduled for Wednesday. The Italian side's preparations, however, have been overshadowed by recent developments within the squad.
Despite their impressive 5-0 win against Verona, Atalanta's manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, has refuted suggestions that his team might need a confidence boost. Instead, he emphasized that his players enjoy games that boost their confidence.
However, the team is not without its challenges. Ademola Lookman, who joined the team recently, felt discomfort during training and his participation in the upcoming games, including the Champions League tie, is uncertain. Sead Kolasinac, too, will miss the game due to a pulled muscle. Marco Carnesecchi's health status is also a concern, as he is unwell, and his availability for the match remains uncertain.
Atalanta's form has been inconsistent lately. After a string of 11 consecutive wins, they have only managed to win one of their previous six Serie A games. This slump in form was evident in their recent losses in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, league, and Champions League.
Despite these setbacks, Gasperini has praised striker Mateo Retegui, who scored a hat-trick in the first half and another goal in the second against Verona, bringing his total to an impressive 20 goals so far.
The manager also acknowledged that those who do not fully understand football might not grasp the ups and downs that come with it.
Atalanta will look to bounce back from their recent struggles when they visit Club Brugge. Meanwhile, the squad continues to navigate through injuries and squad management issues, with Lookman's formal transfer request and recent tensions adding to the challenges.
As for Daniel Maldini, his participation in the upcoming games is uncertain due to discomfort felt during training. The team will be hoping for his swift recovery, as they prepare for a crucial period that includes a league game against Cagliari on February 15.
For detailed comments on Atalanta's confidence and a preview for the Club Brugge game, fans may need to wait for the latest press conference or official club communications closer to the match date.
Atalanta, despite their recent struggles in European-leagues and Serie-A, will aim to use football as a tool to bounce back when they visit Club Brugge in a crucial Champions League fixture. However, the Italian side's preparations are hampered by injuries, with Ademola Lookman, Sead Kolasinac, Daniel Maldini, and Marco Carnesecchi's participation uncertain due to various reasons.
