Gasperini: ‘Important for Atalanta and Milan’
Gian Piero Gasperini admires Milan and their development over the last two years, but confirms Atalanta will be without Robin Gosens for ‘at least two months.’
It kicks off on Sunday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
Although La Dea beat Young Boys 1-0 midweek to go top of their Champions League group and welcomed Luis Muriel back ahead of schedule, they lost Gosens to a serious thigh strain.
“Unfortunately, we will be without Gosens for at least two months, it’s pretty serious. Initially we thought it was his knee, as it was a strange twist. We’ve got Joakim Maehle and Giuseppe Pezzella, so there’s no need to look for anyone else,” said the coach in his press conference.
“After two very difficult tests against Inter and Young Boys, we emerge with more credibility and confidence. They were two very different matches, more open in Milan, one-way traffic in the Champions League.
“This is going to be an important match for both sides. I expect Milan to be very attacking and pro-active, they have improved a great deal over the last couple of years with many talented young players.
“Stefano Pioli has done a great job and even without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he has other alternatives in attack. Milan have shown they can sell players, but also know how to reinforce anyway.”
Atalanta have options upfront too and Gasperini said he has ‘not yet decided’ whether to start Josip Ilicic, who had been heavily linked with Milan over the summer.
“Unfortunately, I cannot use 25 players per game, at most 16 with substitutions. There will be time and space for everyone, but I have to make my choices.”
Verso #AtalantaMilan, la conferenza stampa integrale di Gian Piero #Gasperini
https://t.co/UBuWXBb15S#SerieATIM #GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/3DIEw4v0ZO
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) October 2, 2021