Gasperini: Atalanta Must Beat Barcelona to Guarantee Top-Eight Finish

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini says his team must beat Barcelona to guarantee a top-eight finish in the Champions League and secure an automatic knockout spot.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his team's determination to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League, ahead of their final league-phase game against Barcelona. Despite exceeding expectations this season, Atalanta is eager to make a final push to seal an automatic knockout spot.

Gasperini's team has delivered impressive performances in the new-look Champions League competition, suffering only one loss in seven games - a defeat at the hands of European champions Real Madrid. This achievement is a testament to Atalanta's capabilities, and they now aim to build on this success.

Atalanta currently occupies seventh place in the standings with 14 points, ensuring they will participate in the competition's knockout phase, either directly or through a playoff spot. While they trail second-placed Barcelona by four points, Gasperini's team remains optimistic about their chances. Barcelona, along with Liverpool, has already secured a spot in the last 16.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini reflected on his team's impressive performance in the Champions League, stating, “In the Champions League we did well, beyond our expectations, it's certain that you pay maximum attention, it's always been the game you dedicate the most adrenaline to.” Gasperini's comments came ahead of Wednesday's crucial match against Barcelona in Spain.

Gasperini acknowledged that the standings are such that every team is calculating their chances of advancing. He emphasized that Atalanta has already secured a playoff spot, thanks to their good run in the competition. However, Gasperini noted that only a win against Barcelona would guarantee eighth place, as a draw would not be sufficient. He said, “The only result that would guarantee us eighth place is to win, not even a draw would be enough.”

Despite the high stakes, Gasperini prioritized the value of competing against top-tier teams like Barcelona. He stated, “Having said that, for me, it is much more important to play this type of game, to measure ourselves against this type of team.” The Champions League format dictates that the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16, while teams ranked ninth to 24th participate in two-legged knockout playoffs to secure their spot.

I nerazzurri convocati per la sfida di domani 📝

Our squad list for #BarcellonaAtalanta 🚨#UCL #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/hPnKgZp0iW

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) January 28, 2025

In addition to their Champions League ambitions, Atalanta is also contending for the Serie A title, currently sitting third in the standings. However, Gasperini's team faces a demanding schedule, with three games across all competitions in just seven days. Gasperini commented, “Seven days is not enough, tomorrow against Barcelona, but also in Serie A and in the Coppa Italia. Three different events played very close together, I think the best thing is to play one at a time.” Atalanta's upcoming fixtures include a league match against Torino and a Coppa Italia clash with Bologna.

Atalanta will be without forward Ademola Lookman, who suffered a knee injury during training. This absence will likely impact the team's lineup for the crucial match against Barcelona.