Gian Piero Gasperini: “They did amazing”

Atalanta won their ninth consecutive match in the league, the game against Sampdoria proved to be tough, but the Nerazzurri managed to win the three points up for grabs thanks to goals from Toloi and Muriel. It was another win as a mature team and coach Gian Piero Gasperini has something to be satisfied with: "This game wasn't easy, the squad did amazing".

Here is the full post-match interview.

It was a tough match, but you already knew that, Sampdoria didn't leave you much space.

We imagined it would be like this. As we saw that the team were in an excellent athletic shape. Moreover they're physical, aggressive... it wasn't easy to play in narrow spaces. It took us a while to adapt, but then we did it using their weapons. The team did amazing, as we have many different ways of winning games. It wasn't easy to unlock this game, but then we grew into the game and played very well in the second half.

You were good at waiting and then you broke the deadlock: Toloi first from a corner, then Luis Muriel's 17th goal this season: another win as a mature team, it's the ninth straight win in the league.

It was a fundamental win, as it discourages our pursuers. It gives no room for comebacks. And it gives us adrenaline, force, as we see the Champions League target really close and possible to achieve.

Have you taken a look at the table? You have recovered seven points on Juventus, nine on Lazio and eleven on Inter, while waiting for them to play, obviously.

It's clear that if you win all the games, just like us, you recover points on the big teams. We are really close to Inter now and Lazio too. At this moment we're still thinking about maths to qualify for the Champions League. Then if we can add something to it, it's fine.

The next league fixture is against Juventus.

The match against Juve will be a test for the Champions League, as Juve are a very strong side, a team who can aspire to win the UCL. I see it in this respect. I don't know how we'll show up three days after this win. That's the test. It will be important for us to win also against Brescia, because I think at that point we will have almost succeeded.

Yet, before Juve, the UCL draw will be on Friday, do you have any preference?

I have not any odd feelings, if not the one that we'll face one of the teams that have yet to play the round of 16 second leg. This is my pure feeling, but I never got it right.