Football
ESPN staff 7y

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini gives fans 'licence to dream of Europe'

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini believes the club's fans "are authorised to dream" of European football after their stunning 2-0 win in Napoli on Saturday.

Juventus-bound defender Mattia Caldara scored the brace that handed La Dea all three points at the Stadio San Paolo, catapulting Atalanta into fourth place on the Serie A table and within three points of the Champions League spots.

Gasperini says that it's on the back of players like Caldara that Atalanta can keep their "wonderful" campaign alive.

"Pressing is one of our main characteristics and we knew it would be important against Napoli," Gasperini told Sky Sports Italia.

"This was a wonderful day for us, really wonderful, the best since I've been here.

"I'd like to point out that Caldara will stay with Atalanta for another year, as he's not due to join Juventus until 2018."

Gasperini, who managed the likes of Palermo and Inter Milan before his stint at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, waved off any ideas of leaving Atalanta, and preferred to focus on the momentum that his small side is building.

"I am very happy at this level and remain convinced there's a very small difference between the clubs," he said.

"People love me in Bergamo, the club and fans appreciate me as a person and there is no point leaving a situation like that.

"The Champions League seems a bit of an exaggeration. It's for Juventus, Roma and Napoli, maybe Inter if they get back in, but not for us.

"What tonight does do is give us the licence to dream of Europe and as of this evening we are authorised to dream. Getting a victory in an arena like this is validation, so we can think big."

The Associated Press reported that 5,000 fans greeted Atalanta at Bergamo Airport after Saturday's win, welcoming the team home with flares, fireworks, and singing "We're going to win the league."

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