Former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta spoke with L’Equipe, where he sent a warning to his former club to be careful with Atalanta BC.
Motta is familiar with Gian Piero Gasperini as the 62-year-old was his coach during his time with Genoa CFC and Inter Milan. Also, Motta had a brief stint as the manager of Il Grifone, so he’s had a chance to look at the film and see what Atalanta bring to the table.
The 37-year-old went into detail on the playing that his former manager is trying to implement. Atalanta is looking to set an aggressive tone with everyone looking to attack, according to Motta.
Regardless of the opponent, Atalanta follows its offensive principles, does not wait behind, and everyone attacks. It is not uncommon to see four or five players in the opposing box on a cross. If so many players are projecting themselves offensively, it’s because Gasperini thinks that with every attack his team can score, so it doesn’t matter if they take it out,” Gasperini said.
“Gasperini relies a lot on Gomez, Zapata. There is also Malinovsky, a Ukrainian southpaw who doesn’t always play but is very, very strong. Or the Croatian Pasalic. It’s a really good team, especially in the middle.”
Another warning advice that Motta is offering to his former club is to pay attention to is the physical style of La Dea.
“On paper, PSG is surely favorite. Atalanta can compete with everyone. It will be a great game. Both teams will want to attack and have possession of the ball. On both sides, it will play. Atalanta is very physical and plays at high intensity with boys like Freuler, De Roon, and Pasalic. Gasperini needs players like that,” Motta said. ”
If there were to be an individual marking, the physical would matter. There is size too in all Atalanta lines. But his game creates spaces behind. Against Neymar, Mbappé if he plays, who go quickly with the ball, and an opposing defense in place, it can be in difficulty.”
Motta agrees that PSG is the favorite heading into the match, but has laid out how Atalanta will try and play to get the victory over Les Parisiens.
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