Gian Piero Gasperini believes there is a risk of some “arrogance” setting in for Atalanta amid Champions League expectations.
Atalanta could only draw 1-1 with Lecce on Sunday, in a game that was hastily rescheduled after the death of Lecce’s physiotherapist.
In protest of the match being played just 48 hours later than originally planned, Lecce’s players wore blank shirts.
Lecce opened the scoring through Jesper Karlsson’s penalty, but a spot-kick from Mateo Retegui, who has now equalled Filippo Inzaghi’s record Serie A goals tally for an Atalanta player in a single campaign (24), saw the hosts claim a share of the spoils at the Gewiss Stadium.
24 – With 24 goals scored in the current #SerieA, Mateo #Retegui has equalled Filippo Inzaghi (24 goals in 1996/97) as #Atalanta‘s top scorer in a single season in the history of the tournament. History. pic.twitter.com/BMaDLunTSN
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 27, 2025
Third-place Atalanta are three points clear of Juventus, who occupy fourth spot as it stands, while Bologna are two points back from the Bianconeri in fifth.
And while Gasperini still sees Atalanta as being in pole position, he is wary of a complacency setting in.
“Those behind us are more worried. I too am worried when I see this approach, where it seems as if it is ‘normal’ that Atalanta will qualify for the Champions League. I see some arrogance here and that worries me,” Gasperini told DAZN.
“I have the sensation that people do not perceive the objectives we need to achieve.
“They are acting as if it’s easy for Atalanta to qualify for the Champions League, but we need to look at the teams that are behind us in the table.
“This attitude is certainly damaging to Atalanta and we have to take some of the responsibility for it. This would be an extraordinary achievement and we need to remember that.”
Opta’s supercomputer gives Atalanta a 96.6% chance of finishing in the top four, with an 81% probability that Gasperini’s team manage to stay in third place.
Atalanta take on Monza, Roma, Genoa and Parma in their final four matches.
