Atalanta saluted their fans after a practice yesterday, and Gian Piero Gasperini voiced his doubts about the roster to the press, but without placing the blame on the management (via Ansa).
“It’s not the squad I expected at this point. The directors worked hard, but I feel like the transfer market is just getting started now. I sided with the supporters when they chanted to bring home the title, but I was simply pandering. It’s impossible to know what objectives will be within our reach before the window closes. We want further reinforcements, we pursued important players, but it’s hard for every team.”
Gasperini dished on two Atalanta newcomers, Ederson and Ademola Lookman, and praised a youngster.
“The former has a plenty of stamina and energy, the latter has speediness, technique and dynamism, although he doesn’t score a lot. Caleb Okoli has impressed me a lot, he’s structurally strong. He has benefitted from spending two years on loan at Cremonese. He’s a potential top player and can feature in any position in the back.”
La Dea will have to cope with some absences at the start of the season.
“Davide Zappacosta and Merih Demiral are hurt, plus there’s the Jose Luis Palomino situation. They are tough blows. Fortunately, I can use Marten De Roon in the back. He should be cloned.”
Gasperini closed with some comments about the latest chatter related to Atalanta.
“They pointed the finger at me for halting the Aleksey Miranchuk deal with Torino, but the truth is that there are economic details that need solving. I haven’t specifically indicated Andrea Pinamonti. I just make suggestions on which roles to addess. The only player I mentioned directly was Rodrigo Palacio five years ago.”
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