‘We nearly achieved the extraordinary’ - Gasperini on Atalanta regret

Gian Piero Gasperini lamented Atalanta missing out on a Champions League semi-final spot, but was proud of his side’s achievements all the same.

Gasperini has done a phenomenal job since becoming Atalanta manager in 2016. He’s transformed them from a mid-table outfit to top-four regulars in the Serie A, with this season arguably being his finest yet.

La Dea qualified for the Champions League again through a third-place finish in the Serie A. They also boasted the best offensive record on 98 goals, nearest rivals Inter Milan 17 goals adrift.

But the Italian side, widely regarded as the dark horses in this season’s Champions League, ended the campaign trophyless following a quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Mario Pasalic gave Atalanta a dream start by scoring the opening goal inside 26 minutes. They held onto their advantage until the ultimate moments. That was when Neymar set-up Marquinhos‘ equalizer in the 90th-minute.

Substitute Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting then bagged a winner in the third minute of stoppage time to send PSG through to the semi-finals, and leaving Atalanta crushed.

“The biggest regret is that we got so close and thought we really might achieve this extraordinary coup,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“The satisfaction remains that we had a great Champions League campaign, constantly improving against the best teams in Europe. I can only thank the lads for all they’ve done this season.

“It’s disappointing because we came so close. There are some of the best players in the world, [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar, who at a certain point really sparked them into life.

“We could’ve conceded earlier, in a way that might’ve been better, as conceding in stoppages hurts more. We did all we possibly could, at the end of a very difficult and exhausting run of fixtures, so I can only thank the lads.

“The Champions League is a very special competition and I read a while back Jose Mourinho said it was the competition of details. Details make the difference when games are so balanced and can go one way or the other.

“Despite everything, we reached the 90th minute in the lead. We were certainly well-prepared on set plays, there was that Berat Djimsiti chance, and could’ve done better on a couple of counter-attacks, but again, these are all details.”