Gasperini Cautiously Optimistic About Atalanta's Title Chances

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini remains cautious about his team's Serie A title chances despite their impressive form.

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is remaining cautious about his team's Serie A title hopes, despite their impressive 5-0 win over Empoli on Sunday. The victory has closed the gap between Atalanta and league leaders Inter Milan to just three points, with Atalanta trailing second-placed Napoli by two points. However, Gasperini is aware that the team's title chances can quickly slip away, especially given their inconsistent form in recent matches.

Atalanta's emphatic win over Empoli was a testament to their attacking prowess, as they have now scored 59 goals in the league this season, the highest tally alongside Inter Milan. However, Gasperini is keenly aware that the team's form can be unpredictable, particularly since their 11-match winning streak from October to December. Since that run was snapped with a 1-1 draw at Lazio on December 28, Atalanta have won only three of their last nine matches, highlighting the need for consistency in their title push.

Gasperini emphasized the importance of taking things one week at a time, acknowledging that Atalanta have little room for error in their pursuit of the title. “First, it's about seeing how things unfold week by week. At this point in the season, we can’t make any mistakes, especially since we are just a little behind,” he told reporters. This cautious approach reflects Gasperini's awareness of the challenges that lie ahead for Atalanta as they bid to claim their first Serie A title.

Pure class on the ball ⚽✨🇳🇬@Alookman_ | #EmpoliAtalanta #GoAtalantaGo ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/V88au97uLo

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) February 24, 2025

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini expressed his satisfaction with the team's current position in the league, despite acknowledging that there is still much work to be done. “We are proud of our position and the journey we’ve made so far. It can be interpreted in many ways, but personally, I am satisfied,” he said. Gasperini's comments reflect the team's impressive performance this season, which has seen them rise to third place in the Serie A table.

Gasperini was also asked about the potential impact of Atalanta's recent Champions League exit on their league title chances. The team suffered a 5-2 aggregate loss to Belgian club Brugge, but Gasperini is hopeful that the extra time off will allow his players to recover and refocus. “We hope so, although we are sorry not to be in the Champions League but a few weeks off are useful, and some players need to recover their energy, hoping for a strong finish,” he said. This break may prove beneficial for Atalanta as they seek to maintain their title challenge.

Regarding his own future, Gasperini announced on Saturday that he may consider extending his contract until 2026. However, when asked to comment further on this decision, he declined to elaborate. “I don’t go into this subject anymore; I’ve already been quite clear. We have 12 matches to play, and we need to focus on those. Everything else, whether it was before or after, doesn’t change anything,” he said. Gasperini's comments suggest that he is prioritizing the team's remaining league matches over any personal considerations.