Gasperini: ‘Atalanta always believe we can win to the last minute’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini hails Charles De Ketelaere and the fact Atalanta ‘always have the belief we can win to the last minute’ as they beat Empoli 3-2 to stay top of Serie A for Christmas.

That is 11 consecutive Serie A wins for La Dea, something only achieved before by Scudetto winners Inter and Napoli.

“Yes, but when Inter and Napoli had 11 in a row, they created a big gap at the top of the table,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia and DAZN.

“There are a lot of teams crammed together up there and it makes this a very exciting campaign. Now we are top of the table for Christmas, it’s an extraordinary result. We hope 2025 can be as wonderful as 2024, but we’ve got to keep this mentality going.”

Has winning the Europa League made Gasperini’s Atalanta true contenders for more silverware?

“I think it all comes from our energy and team spirit. Even when it’s not our best day, we still have the belief we can win to the last minute. That mentality makes the difference, we never give in.”

It was a tough slog in the final match of 2024 at the Gewiss Stadium, as Lorenzo Colombo pounced on distracted defending and Sebastiano Esposito converted a controversial penalty, but Ademola Lookman and the Charles De Ketelaere brace secured the 3-2 victory.

“We fought back against a team that came here to play good football. Of course, the two goals they scored were down to our distraction and a penalty awarded by VAR, but it was still to our credit that we won.

“The first goal we were almost distracted admiring our fans and didn’t spot the throw-in routine. I thought the penalty was extremely generous, let’s put it that way, but despite all that we showed character and the desire to win. It was a deserved victory in the end.”

Gasperini sees De Ketelaere represent Atalanta determination

epa11790406 Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere celebrates with teammates after scoring the 3-2 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Atalanta BC vs Empoli FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 22 December 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

If De Ketelaere had impressed last season, he has gone from strength to strength with Atalanta, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists so far.

“Charles has gained confidence and improved in his aerial ability, as he showed today,” continued Gasperini.

“The second goal is really extraordinary, he started from a wide position and carried it through. He wanted those goals at all costs, he is not a mystery anymore, but a guarantee for this team.”

With Marten de Roon suspended today, Mario Pasalic was dropped back into a midfield spot to fill the gap.

“As the years go by, that role suits him more and more. It was a very good performance from Pasalic today, he makes the team tick, with him and Ederson I have the option of using them in various different positions.”

There was some bad news, as Mateo Retegui limped off after just 21 minutes with a muscular problem, replaced by Nicolò Zaniolo.

“It does not seem serious, but he will be out for a few days,” explained Gasperini.

“Zaniolo was decisive today with the assist for Lookman’s goal. In games like this, you need that kind of quality.”