Atalanta coach warns Liverpool they will not change attacking approach

Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has told Liverpool that his side will not change their attacking approach when they meet in the Champions League.

Last season the Bergamo club scored 98 goals on their way to a third-placed finish in Serie A and that mentality took them all the way to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they conceded two late goals in a 2-1 defeat to finalists Paris St Germain.

They have continued in that vein this season, scoring 17 times in their six league games so far, and opened their European campaign with a 4-0 victory over Midtjylland and a 2-2 draw with Ajax.

Ahead of a meeting with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Tuesday, Gasperini is not planning on a change of style.

“We are facing a strong side who have won the Club World Cup and the Champions League the year before so it will be a very prestigious game against Liverpool,” he said.

“As for changing the way we play, that is not a thought in my mind.

“We have come here after a long journey and are going to play Liverpool and we will still be playing in the same way tomorrow.

“We have this mindset of attacking very often but first you have to get the ball and after this you can start your attacking phase.

“It is unlikely you will see a different Atalanta tomorrow.”


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Man City experience helped Atalanta

Last season they drew 1-1 at home with Manchester City and Gasperini thinks that experience helped his side go on their run to the last eight.

“Both Man City and Liverpool are sides of great value and this will be a great opportunity for us to play against one of the world’s best teams and we will be able to see how competitive we are,” he added.

“After the City games we gained experience, knowledge and ability and that was useful for the rest of our season.

“We also gained a few points and in football not always the best team wins.”

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