The match against Atalanta has ended, with Gasperini's team winning 5-2 at the Gewiss Stadium. Here are the words of coach Thiago Motta after the match:
"Atalanta is one of the strongest teams in the league and a reference point for many, but until the penalty kick, we saw a game well played by both teams and very entertaining. Certainly, the 2-1 episode changed the inertia of the match, but the boys never gave up playing; in the final, we should have paid more attention and avoided conceding the two goals that make this result too clear.
Ours is a team that has to try to score and to do that it has to take risks. We have to find a balance whereby we can attack and create difficulties for the opponent, but also defend our goal well. Today we played against a strong team that has excellent players both physically and technically, we could have played a defensive game but it was my choice to try to be offensive and I don't regret it. I want to see my boys attack and try to score, we'll work to find the right balance in defense.
It's not my role to judge the penalty episode or the referee's work, it's their job and refereeing is a very difficult job so I won't pass judgment on his assessment. It's true that we've been penalised for certain episodes during the season, but I want to think it's part of the game of football and I accept it, for the rest, I'll leave you to make your own judgments.
One of the positive things I take home with me today is Nzola's return to scoring. He not only scored but also put in an excellent performance and I think that will be good for the whole team. The other positive thing is certainly the offensive phase, we lack the competitive spirit to finish the actions with a goal but I'm satisfied with how the guys attacked and fought.
I firmly believe that with the team we have we can be offensive and hurt the opponent, my way of playing puts the boys in a position to attack and try to score. I respect every type of game, I don't think there is a right or wrong, but you won't see my team lined up defensively and not fighting for the whole 90 minutes.
Hristov and Erlic are guys who are improving a lot, they are players who have a huge desire to help the team and to win, trying to give something more every day: I wouldn't change them for anyone else.
Gasperini is a serious person, a hard worker, who has always shown the same passion for his work since he started. I'd like to take an example from him and keep the passion I have now until the last day I coach, trying to pass it on to my players.
We'll look back at the game and try to understand the mistakes we made on the pitch to be aware of what we need to focus on more in training. On an individual level, everyone has their own characteristics and qualities, we have to work better together, as a collective, and I'm sure we will be able to grow and improve."
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