Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's Aim: Confirm A Place In Europa League Semifinals By Knocking Out RB Leipzig

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini. (Photo: Instagram.com/@atalantabc)

JAKARTA - Atalanta will host RB Leipzig at the Atleti Azzuri d'Italia Stadium on Thursday, April 14, evening local time. This meeting is the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said his team was aiming for a ticket to the Europa League semifinals. The reason is, the success of penetrating the semifinals of the Europa League is one of Atalanta's keys to being able to appear in Europe next season.

In the first leg in Germany, Atalanta were able to hold RB Leipzig to a 1-1 draw. This result is an important asset to maintain the chances of the team from Bergamo qualifying for the semifinals.

"The crossroads on Thursday. If we reach the semifinals of the Europa League, it will be a great achievement for the season. If that doesn't happen, there are still seven games left in Serie A and we have to do something special to qualify for Europe," explained Gasperini, quoted by Antara from Italian Football.

In the last match, La Dea was defeated by Sassuolo with a score of 1-2 in Serie A. This result makes Atalanta's chances of appearing in European competition next season through the domestic route threatened.

"I rotate the squad because they play away in Europe on Thursday and then again on Sunday afternoon, it's not easy," said Gasperini.

The Italian coach explained that in the match against Sassuolo he wanted fresh energy. But in the end, this scheme didn't work out the way he wanted it to.

"I wanted fresh feet, but we didn't have the quality and precision needed. It was an open game in the first half, we made a mistake on the goal with a good attack and I honestly expected better," said Gasperini.

"We have done poorly in the second half of the season in Serie A for various reasons, including injuries and international duty. We are rarely able to overcome the competitiveness of various competitions," he continued.

Currently, Atalanta is in 8th place in the Italian League standings with 51 points from 31 matches, four points away from the European zone.