Gian Piero Gasperini celebrates his team’s victory over Liverpool as Atalanta manager claims ‘trophy’
Liverpool has been eliminated from the Europa League by Atalanta. Gian Piero Gasperini was naturally happy with his team’s win on aggregate.
It is unlikely that Jürgen Klopp will leave Liverpool holding a second European championship. Gian Piero Gasperini, the Atalanta manager, is still in with a chance to win his first one.
Gasperini observed Marseille and Benfica’s penalty shootout via the phone of a journalist. The French team prevailed, and Liverpool would have frustratingly been able to win this match on paper. Atalanta will play in the semi-final.
On the pitch, though, there aren’t many issues with Atalanta’s development. Although Liverpool took the lead early on and managed to win in Bergamo, they never really threatened to close the three-goal gap. The host also had opportunities, despite Klopp’s apparent positive assessment of the show.
Based on their performances against Liverpool, Atalanta should have a decent chance of making it to the championship game and possibly winning it all, but Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen team, who are still undefeated, is a dangerous opponent on the other side of the draw. But Gasperini maintains that defeating Klopp and the Reds in this fashion already qualifies as a victory.
According to Gasperini, via Football Italia, “We care about winning something, without a doubt, but the trophy also is seeing the unity of these lads.” “If they were feeling the pressure, I asked them at halftime if they wanted to retreat a little and defend more deeply, however, they firmly disagreed! That is a trophy for me since they share my viewpoint and adopt roles and strategies that they find enjoyable.”
Over the course of the two legs, Atalanta gave a very courageous effort. Gasperini’s style has always included the man-to-man system and heavy pressing, but coming to Anfield and doing it required guts, and the Italians paid a hefty price for it. Furthermore, as the manager hinted to, it took comparable bravery to hold on when Liverpool rallied for a goal in Bergamo.
There is undoubtedly regard for one another between the two managers. At full time, Gasperini was spotted expressing his gratitude to Klopp, and the latter made sure to compliment the former during his news conference.