After the great Europa League victory, Gian Piero Gasperini spoke about his Atalanta’s triumph in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Gian Piero Gasperini, should we thank you for winning this Cup, for making us experience this emotion?
“Thanks from us. Never before have we felt the support of everyone and especially of our fans”.
Did the thought of losing that final in Rome against Juventus help you?
“I have to give credit to the guys. The final in Rome was hard to digest. We played ten games well and then we weren’t able to play well in that one. Then you can lose against a great team like Juventus”.
Gasperini did it, he won this trophy…
”I have to thank everyone who gave me the chance. From Genoa onwards, then here in Bergamo I found the ideal environment where they never said anything. We have changed Atalanta more in recent years and this is a credit. I’m happy for these guys”.
Does Gasperini remain at Atalanta?
”I’m a little heavy, I realize it. But it’s not a problem of relationships, it’s that we always have the ambition to do something more, even on a technical level. We don’t set limits. I will speak to the President tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. Now let’s celebrate, such a beautiful party…”.
So Gasperini is leaving?
“If one has to choose the moment to go out, this is it. I don’t know, I’ll think about it…”.
You played your 7th match in 21 days…
”It was very hard, it was difficult. We had enormous motivation, being part of all the competitions helped us. Playing every time wasn’t a burden, we didn’t feel tired. Now we have scaled up and also have an international impact”.
And you brought an international trophy back to Italy…
”This gives me great satisfaction. What Atalanta did is unique, we won without incurring large debts and it’s more. And I don’t think I’m any better than I was before. I believe that Bologna, Verona, Lecce won, not just Juve, Inter…”.
To whom do you dedicate this victory?
“I dedicate this victory to all of Bergamo and to my boys”.
