At the beginning of the season it was the main objective, then the race in the Europa League changed the plans according to Gasperini himself (“now we are more tempted”), but the Italian Cup remains an absolute priority for Atalanta. Tomorrow evening the Goddess has a great chance to win it at the Olimpico against Juventus, in the third final of the Gasperini era. With more than a few absences to deal with, starting from Scamacca’s disqualification for the two yellow cards against Fiorentina (“in Europe the best are not disqualified for the finals” said the coach) up to Kolasinac, who has not yet fully recovered from the hamstring injury suffered in Marseille and remains in the pits like Holm.
DOUBTS OF GASP
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Given that between the posts the certainty is Carnesecchi, Italian Cup goalkeeper, the doubts begin with the defense. While the indispensability of Hien and Djimsiti in the trio is now clear, Scalvini could still start on the bench making room for De Roon: given the trend in the last two outings against two teams that played with the 3-5-2 (as, except surprises, Juventus will do it) the Dutchman’s confirmation is possible. In midfield with Ederson one of Koopmeiners and Pasalic, with the other interpreter advanced in the trident which will be made up of Lookman and De Ketelaere: the two have often exchanged positions, even during the match in progress. The absence of a reference like Scamacca could lead to preferring the Croatian behind the strikers to exploit the insertions. No doubt about the lanes: Zappacosta on the right, Ruggeri on the left.
SUPERSTITION NO THANKS
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After morning training in Zingonia the team took off for Rome in the early afternoon. The program first includes a visit to the Quirinale, then the press conference by Gian Piero Gasperini at 6.30pm. Scamacca will speak with him, despite the disqualification. Meanwhile, the trophy arrived at the Termini station aboard a Frecciarossa with many champions from the past: among these also the former Atalanta captain Glenn Strömberg, who in defiance of superstition took over the Italian Cup (which he lost in the final against Maradona’s Napoli in 1987) and raised it to the sky, at the invitation of Ciro Ferrara. “For the Goddess, being here is already worth a title, even if we still lack a title. In fact, now I’m taking the cup away…”. And on Gasperini’s possible farewell: “He’s fine where he is.”
