Sport Nation 2Atalanta secured a dominant 6-1 victory over Verona in Serie A, showcasing their offensive strength just days after a Champions League draw against Celtic. Following the match, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini remarked that his team could have achieved a similar result against Celtic had they scored early.
Atalanta’s win was fueled by goals from Marten de Roon, Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere, and Ademola Lookman, with Lookman contributing two goals and multiple assists. Despite Verona’s Amin Sarr scoring a late consolation, Verona suffered their fifth loss in six games. Gasperini’s 400th game in charge highlighted Atalanta’s attacking capabilities, as the team exhibited both precision and quality.
Reflecting on the recent Champions League match, Gasperini expressed regret over missed opportunities against Celtic, noting that scoring early could have shifted the game in Atalanta’s favor. “If we had scored one against Celtic, it would’ve been better,” he told Sky Sport Italia. “The team is in good shape, with quality and precision in attack.” Gasperini emphasized that the European matches teach valuable lessons, particularly regarding intensity, and pointed out that the only real difference in the Verona game was the early goal.
Gasperini noted, “We can’t do anything about the Celtic game now, but we have to keep going.” He also referenced Borussia Dortmund’s recent high-scoring games, where they netted seven goals against Celtic before conceding five to Real Madrid, highlighting the unpredictable nature of high-intensity matches.
Celtic, however, held their ground during their meeting with Atalanta, demonstrating a robust and disciplined defense. The game was far less open than Celtic’s earlier loss to Dortmund, a result that motivated Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers to adjust his strategy. Celtic’s defense successfully limited Atalanta’s typically relentless attack, which has been capable of dismantling opponents this season. By frustrating Atalanta’s offensive efforts, Celtic managed to secure a well-deserved point.
Rodgers’ tactical shift following the Dortmund loss allowed Celtic to implement a more compact and organized defensive approach, effectively neutralizing Atalanta’s attacking threats. The result speaks to Celtic’s resilience, as the team contained one of Serie A’s most potent offenses and avoided a repeat of the heavy defeat experienced against Dortmund.
Atalanta’s display against Verona underscored their capacity for high-scoring games and reaffirmed their place as a formidable team in both domestic and European competitions. However, Celtic’s ability to withstand the pressure in Bergamo illustrates their growth and adaptability on the European stage.
Sport nation
