Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged that “if you believe enough, things can become possible” after Atalanta’s dominant 4-0 victory over Juventus. This win sets up a potential Scudetto showdown with Inter. He described their performance as “perfect.”
This match in Turin was crucial, with Atalanta only three points ahead of Juventus before the game, especially after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Venezia.
However, Atalanta delivered a masterclass, securing a 4-0 win with goals from Mateo Retegui (penalty), Marten de Roon, Davide Zappacosta, and Ademola Lookman.
Gasperini, who previously revitalized Thiago Motta’s playing career at Genoa and helped him become a coach, demonstrated that the student has not yet surpassed the master.
“This is football. Fortunes change quickly, but it’s important to remember Juventus entered this game on a five-match winning streak,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“For many, this result was unexpected, but from our perspective, it was a flawless performance.”
Gasperini’s Tactical Surprise Against Juventus
The coach surprised with his starting lineup, deploying Juan Cuadrado on the right of the attacking trident instead of Charles De Ketelaere or Mario Pasalic. However, Cuadrado was substituted at halftime due to a flexor issue.
“De Ketelaere has had a long period of strong performances, but a dip is natural during a season with over 40 games. Cuadrado offered unpredictability; his decade of experience at Juventus was evident tonight.”
Read the Player Ratings for Juventus 0-4 Atalanta
Despite the 4-0 scoreline, Atalanta could have scored even more, showcasing their pace and quality in possession.
“Juventus had won their last five games and possess significant quality. After five months of playing three times a week, we finally had time to train and recover. These past two ‘normal’ weeks allowed everyone to reach optimal fitness, mental sharpness, and focus,” Gasperini explained.
“We had opportunities to increase our lead before halftime, and Juventus’s confidence waned after our second goal, which we capitalized on.”
The Scudetto race is now wide open, with Atalanta just three points behind league leaders Inter, whom they will face in Bergamo next week.
Atalanta also has the advantage of not competing in the Champions League, unlike Inter, who play Feyenoord on Tuesday. Is dreaming of the Scudetto a pleasure or a duty?
“It’s definitely a pleasure! People should dream, and we shouldn’t discourage that. It might seem impossible, but with enough belief, anything can happen. We know Inter and Napoli are strong teams, and we’ve lost our last seven games against Inter, but maybe that’s a sign things can change,” Gasperini smiled.
“Atalanta has never been in this position at this stage of the season, three points ahead of Juventus and in the Scudetto race, so you never know.”