Whatever happens, it will be a party. And it will not depend on the result of Atalanta-Turin, even if the Dea DNA, and the way of experiencing football of Gian Piero Gasperini – like his favorite pupil Ivan Juric, after all – does not foresee “not playing” a match. Even when it doesn’t count for anything and in reality this afternoon’s one has its weight, in terms of prestige and self-esteem: because by winning today and next Sunday against Fiorentina, Atalanta would relive the gratification already felt three times of a fantastic third place, a goal that was far from his thoughts until not so long ago. But even just by winning today, they would overtake Bologna and be certain (at least) of the fourth, with all due respect to Roma who would have to say goodbye to their Champions League dreams. At least fourth place, which would be like saying: Atalanta in the Champions League – i.e. the top finish at the start of the season – regardless of the Europa League victory and the Italian ranking (to which it contributed).
what training?
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This is the still sufficiently crisp air that was breathed yesterday in Zingonia. This is the not-so-tacit declaration of intent of the Nerazzurri group. Then, obviously, this team reached the highest point in its history three days ago, with everything that followed and can follow: the celebrations, an understandable drop in adrenaline, the hypothetical lack of energy, not only mental but physical ones too, at the peak of an infinite tour de force, 16 matches in the last 57 days. Or seven races in the last 24, if you prefer. Gasperini will not have De Roon and Kolasinac, Hateboer who is disqualified, and perhaps Ederson too, who suffered a hard knee injury in Dublin which swelled up a bit: the coach did not write the list of players called up yesterday precisely to check the possibility this morning to have the Brazilian, who also has the America’s Cup on the horizon with the Seleçao. The formation choices will depend on his reading of the respective fuel tanks: it is possible that he decides on the best one possible, but also that he gives space to players with fewer kilometers in their legs, namely Toloi, Bonfanti, Holm, Bakker, Adopo. Scamacca should start the match, Touré could become his running alternative, or perhaps, with an eye also to the future, be used more as an external attacker.
the celebrations
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Before and after, as we said, those who couldn’t be in Dublin will enjoy the party at Gewiss with the Europa League cup. Forty minutes before kick-off, celebratory graphics and, above all, images of the highlights of the final in Dublin will scroll on the stadium’s giant screen and on the LEDs on the sidelines. Then, at the end of the entrance tunnel onto the pitch, Atalanta will find Torino arranged in two rows for the traditional guard of honour, while the most awaited moment, the lap of the pitch with the cup, is obviously expected at the end of the match, when the Nerazzurri return to the pitch after wearing the shirt celebrating the Europa League victory. For the city tour on the open-top bus we will have to wait until Friday evening, another fundamental episode of the long celebration of the European Goddess in paradise.
