Paulo Fonseca has heaped reward on his reverse quantity Gian Piero Gasperini forward of AC Milan’s assembly with Atalanta tomorrow night time.
The crew from Bergamo have performed within the Champions League as a lot as Milan since Gasperini’s arrival (2016-17), with 4 participations every. They gained the Europa League final season ending Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run by beating them 3-0 within the closing in Dublin.
This season they appear proper within the combine for the title given they’re one level off Napoli in high (and 9 forward of the Rossoneri), whereas they’re additionally doing properly in Europe given they’re fifth within the Champions League desk.
Fonseca spoke to the reporters who gathered at Milanello for on the eve of the sport. He was requested about whether or not this could be a ‘good’ time to face Atalanta, after the latest upturn in kind.
“I believe it’s by no means an excellent time to face Atalanta (laughs). Sure, we’re rising, the crew is assured. We all know that going through them is at all times troublesome, 8 wins within the final 8 video games, they’ve scored 26 objectives and conceded solely 4,” he mentioned.
“They’re a really robust crew. Will probably be a really troublesome match however we’re prepared, we’re assured to play towards Atalanta.”
Extra Tales / The Match
The Portuguese was questioned extra particularly on what he thinks of Gasperini, who’s in his ninth season accountable for Atalanta and has delivered constant success – relative to expectations – with a pretty enjoying fashion.
“We haven’t seen a crew play like this, man to man, for a very long time. Soccer is like life: cyclical. Gasperini was a pioneer in enjoying like this. Now everybody in Europe is conscious that it’s troublesome to face groups like Atalanta.
“There are various groups that comply with the identical mannequin as Atalanta. The opposite day I used to be an article written in Germany, there are a lot of groups that play like this now.
“Bayern play like this, Stuttgart too… They adopted the concepts of Atalanta and Gasperini. Their approach of enjoying is a degree of reference at a global degree.”
Fonseca was additionally reminded of the truth that he has by no means gained towards Gasperini after going through him 4 instances as Roma boss. Is there a need for revenge? Not in his eyes.
“I’ve no particular need to beat Gasperini. I’m the primary to say that he’s distinctive. We should recognise the work he’s doing, it’s nice. I’ve nice admiration for Gasperini, there’s nothing private.
“I need to win tomorrow like all the opposite matches, I’ve nothing private to show. We should all recognise the advantage of others, I recognise the advantage of Gasperini.”
