Gianluca Gasperini could not have asked for a better start to the season. His Atalanta team kicked off the Serie A campaign with a stunning 4-0 victory away at Lecce, featuring remarkable performances from debutants Mateo Retegui and Nicolò Brescianini, who both scored two goals each.
“It was a very nice performance,” Gasperini told Sky Sports after the match. “Tonight, we showed a remarkable display, both technically and athletically. What impressed me the most was the ability of some players to overcome challenges and the eagerness they showed to play the first match of the season. Even in seemingly complicated situations, these boys demonstrated great character and played exceptionally well.”
Gasperini was particularly impressed with Retegui, who made an immediate impact, as well as Brescianini, who, despite being new to the team, proved he is capable of playing at the Serie A level. “I know both of them quite well from our previous encounters, and I knew they would integrate smoothly into the squad. Credit goes to them, but also to the team that created ideal conditions for them to shine,” he added.
The conversation inevitably shifted to the transfer market, as Luca Percassi had mentioned earlier in the day. “I’m not sure what Percassi said exactly,” Gasperini continued, “but I’m sure it made sense. Right now, I’m navigating a bit by feel. No one expected to find themselves in this situation. After the Europa League final, I had many plans for the future, but we have faced several difficulties, especially with injuries like that of Scamacca.”
Despite the challenges, he praised the club’s response in bringing in players like Retegui but acknowledged uncertainty about upcoming transfers. “I don’t know what will happen in the next two weeks. My job is to assemble the team as best as I can and see what the club can do in the market. We’ll have a clearer picture by August 31.”
In the post-match press conference, he reflected on the market conditions, saying, “These are great players who have given us a lot. I’m very grateful to them, and I share a sincere relationship with them. The difficulty arises because the market dates are absurd. Keeping the transfer window open during the matches is madness. No one likes it, neither the fans nor the professionals. There are strange market situations arising because of ongoing matches; otherwise, things would be different. Football is entertainment, and it doesn’t make sense to do things that fans don’t like.”
