Gasperini: ‘Atalanta have no regrets in an extraordinary season’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini explains his unusual tactics to beat Milan 1-0, but insists there can be ‘no regrets’ over the Scudetto race. ‘The Champions League for the fifth time in seven years would be extraordinary for Atalanta.’

La Dea were in crisis a few weeks ago with three consecutive defeats, not scoring a single goal, but have truly put that behind them to consolidate third place.

Following the 2-0 victory over Bologna, this evening they conquered San Siro 1-0 with Ederson’s diving header finishing off a well-worked team move to practically end Milan’s hopes of qualification for Europe, at least via the Serie A table.

“It was a lovely goal, as well as a decisive one, with the wingers and midfielders getting into the box. We tried to create those chances in the first half and didn’t time them properly, but the spaces opened up a little and it was a great team move,” Gasperini told DAZN.

The coach has hinted many times he will not sign a new contract with Atalanta, but how can he leave a team so perfectly formed in his own image?

“This is an incredible season for me, because this victory really gives us the chance to qualify for the Champions League again. It would be the fifth time in seven years, an extraordinary result for Atalanta, and we know how fundamental this is for Bergamo,” replied Gasperini, rather ignoring the question.

“This is a fantastic evening, because the league is becoming really difficult, there are many teams crammed into a few points. Bologna beating Inter could’ve been dangerous for us, so the concentration shown by everyone to achieve our target is wonderful, it would be great to crown this season with that success.”

Gasperini surprised Milan with Atalanta choices

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 20: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 20, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

It was an unusual Atalanta that took to the field tonight, as with very few defenders fully fit, they opted to move Raoul Bellanova into the back three, working with Davide Zappacosta.

When Bellanova was switched to his more traditional wing-back role, he provided the assist for Ederson’s goal.

“There were difficulties simply picking three defenders, as Kossounou was out for almost four months, Toloi was struggling too, we lost Kolasinac in a devastating blow, because he is not just a great player, but also a leader.

“Having to play against Leao and Theo Hernandez, I thought Bellanova and Zappacosta could not just defend, but also attack them. They did it very well for more than 45 minutes, then we had to make changes.”

Considering the way Atalanta stumbled in those three consecutive defeats, are there regrets that they were unable to challenge for the title a little bit longer?

“Don’t be silly! How can we have regrets when we’ve got 64 points?” noted Gasperini.

“I said we were challenging for the Scudetto to push my players on, but some took it a bit too seriously. This is an extraordinary season, we are seven points off the top two, it’s largely down to the games we lost against them in the second half of the campaign, but it seems exaggerated to suggest Atalanta could fight for the Scudetto.

“Qualifying for the Champions League would be an extraordinary result, just look at the teams who are behind us in the table, the value of the squads and the quality of players that they have.”