Atalanta Bergamo coach Gian Piero Gasperini spoke at a press conference ahead of the Spanish Super Cup against Real Madrid.
What do you think of the match? ? “It’s a prestigious match and we come here with good feelings, with the desire to surprise. It will be difficult. We are facing the team with the most trophies in the world but we will try to fight with pride.”
What do you think about Carlo Ancelotti? : “What he has done in recent years speaks for himself. He has won more than anyone else. In different countries, different clubs. He is a reference. He is the Italian coach par excellence if we base ourselves on his successes. My memories with him go back a long way, we studied together, we were together at Juventus. We get on very well and I am also a friend of Pintus.”
Do you think you can surprise again? “On paper, Real are even more favourites than Bayer Leverkusen were, even though they were unbeaten before they played us. Real remain a bigger obstacle. It doesn’t always happen but sometimes there can be surprises in football.”
His team’s problems in pre-season : “Well, these things happen. We would like everyone to be healthy, available. But I have to say that when we went to Liverpool, when we played against Leverkusen… We had absences. Not like today, but we had some. What I always ask of the boys is to give everything.”
Fans go crazy with Kylian Mbappé’s departure 😍🤍
— Real Madrid Fans 🤍 (@MadridismoreaI)
August 13, 2024
He also spoke to Sky Sport…
How excited are you going into this game, given the injuries, the internal problems and the fact that Real Madrid will have an endless bench with a new star like Mbappe? “In the end, they will only play with 11. I will have the advantage of not making a mistake in my line-up while Carlo could make bad choices. I also know the risks against this type of team, the fact of not having the right to make a mistake, but we have something consolidated. We faced Zidane’s team and they were not much different. All this will give us strength and energy to play a good match.”
Marten de Roon, the captain, also answered some questions…
What message are you sending to your teammates?
“It’s a match that requires maximum preparation and we are very motivated. Since we won the Europa League, we knew we were going to face Real Madrid. If we don’t believe in ourselves, it’s not even worth going on the pitch. We can cause problems for any team but we have to show the best version of ourselves.”
Ademola Lookman also spoke out…
Real Madrid haven’t played any matches with their best team. Without Kroos, Mbappé… many have had holidays. Is this the best time to face them? “They are a top team, with only top players. I don’t think there are better or worse times to challenge them. We have to focus on ourselves. They have their qualities, they are dangerous but we also have our qualities.”
