Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is fully aware of Inter Milan’s strength ahead of tomorrow’s Supercoppa Italiana showdown.
Speaking to the press ahead of this high-stakes semi-final, as reported FCInterNewsGasperini encouraged La Dea to start strong from the opening whistle.
Gasperini’s side finished 2024 as Serie A leaders, albeit level on points with Napoli and just one ahead of Inter.
However, that doesn’t take away from Atalanta’s remarkable form in recent months.
Indeed, a 4-0 demolition against Inter at the end of August now seems like a distant memory.
Despite La Dea’s roaring form, they will have to overcome a significant psychological barrier tomorrow.
Six consecutive defeats against the Nerazzurri, in which they conceded 19 goals, paint a gloomy picture for the Bergamo team.
Still, they will take the field in good spirits, even if they cannot call on Serie A’s joint top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini hails Inter Milan ahead of Riyadh blockbuster
Atalanta finished the last calendar year on a daunting 13-match unbeaten streak against domestic opposition.
It is also worth noting that they have emerged victorious in 11 of those 13 matches.
Gasperini’s men therefore approach this meeting with cautious optimism.
“After a good run in the league, this is an important match,” said the veteran coach.
“It will be a different match, a 90-minute affair, where you will play single elimination.
“So we need to approach the issue from a slightly different perspective.
However, Gasperinis knows how dominant Inter can be when they take the lead.
“In the last three years, Inter have been the strongest team,” he added.
“The last two matches were the most difficult, while the others were more balanced.
“We have to be careful not to concede too much early on and stay in the game longer.
“Once Inter take the lead, they become a very difficult team to come back against.”
