Gasperini: ‘Coppa Italia is an objective for Atalanta’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini assures the Coppa Italia ‘is an objective’ for Atalanta after they lost the Final last season, but it is too early to talk about their Scudetto credentials.

La Dea host Serie B side Cesena on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, kicking off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 16.30 GMT.

At this stage, if there is no winner after 90 minutes, the teams go directly to a penalty shoot-out and skip extra time.

“The Coppa Italia is an objective for the season, especially because the formula means we can quickly push for the semi-final and final,” Gasperini told Sport Mediaset.

Atalanta are currently top of the Serie A table and in a very good position to qualify for the top eight of the Champions League, so can they keep raising their ambitions?

“There is a lot of discussion about that. It’s not that if someone talks about the Scudetto they get any stronger, we just continue trying to play our games and do the best that we can. There are many teams crammed in a few points, we happen to be very high up after a series of notable victories, but it is only Week 16. Talking about the Scudetto at this moment with so many sides involved doesn’t add anything.”

Gasperini advice for Zaniolo

CAGLIARI, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Nicolò Zaniolo of Atalanta celebrates his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Atalanta at Sardegna Arena on December 14, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Gasperini was critical of Nicolò Zaniolo after the winner against Cagliari, as he again got himself booked for over-celebrating, but will the Italy international start against Cesena tomorrow?

“He has scored in the last two games, he improved in fitness terms and that took a while after a long injury lay-off. For him, just like for all the players, their performances on the pitch do the talking for them. Fortunately, we have always had patience and know how to wait for players to flourish.

“We must become stronger as a squad, because football is a team sport,” continued Gasperini.

“When a team works, it puts the individuals in a condition to give their best. Getting stronger is our objective. If that is enough to also achieve more ambitious targets, then we’re even happier.”

Atalanta won their first major trophy last season with the Europa League, but also came close to the Coppa Italia, losing the Final to Juventus.

Ademola Lookman was named African Player of the Year last night and some of the credit for his development also goes to Gasperini and Atalanta.

“For many years, the objective for Atalanta was to improve players and see them go to greater heights. It’s not my credit, it goes to everyone at Atalanta who help the players to grow, and of course the credit goes to the players themselves. They have what it takes, we just help them to bring that out.”

Matteo Ruggeri, Giorgio Scalvini, Gianluca Scamacca and suspended Juan Cuadrado are out of the squad against Cesena.