The words of the Dea coach on the eve of the match against Genoa: “We are few but good, we have the players to replace Lookman”
Lookman and Kossounou in the African Cup, Bellanova and Djimsiti in the pits and the mourning that struck Mario Pasalic, who lost his father this week and will remain with his family. Atalanta is preparing to face the trip to Genoa with more than one unknown in terms of squad available, but this does not mean that Mr. Palladino loses faith: “We are fewer, but we are good”, states the coach on the eve of a match that will be special for him, having been a rossoblù player between 2008 and 2011
the week
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“It was a special, touching week for us,” explains the coach, who after training on Friday went to Croatia together with CEO Luca Percassi and a delegation from the club to bring the entire Atalanta team close to their midfielder. “We are not just a team, we are a family”, underlines Palladino, “we wanted to be close to him. From today we are concentrated on the pitch to prepare for the match”.
intersections
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It will be the second time in 20 days that Atalanta and Genoa will face each other, after the Italian Cup match at the beginning of December won 4-0 by the Dea. “But it absolutely won’t be the same thing” states the Nerazzurri coach quoting “his friend and colleague” De Rossi, then stating the key words towards the match at Marassi: “War, battle, hunger and intensity, everything you need to win on a difficult pitch”. The last away victory dates back to 21 September, on the Torino pitch. Three months have passed, “that’s why we have to live it like a Champions League match against Chelsea”.
attack
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– If in defense Scalvini seems a candidate to take Kossounou’s place (“I saw him well and he is ready to play as a starter”) Palladino leaves more options open for the attack and who will replace Lookman. “We are happy to find Kamaldeen again, we have him and Maldini in that position.” And speaking of the latter: “We haven’t seen the real Daniel yet in Bergamo: I know him well, I wanted him in Monza. I hope to give him what he lacked, he needs continuity and trust. It all depends on him.” And there is also the Zalewski option: “He has the characteristics to do it, but now we have a few ‘fifths’ and we need him.” Krstovic-Scamacca together? “Not a solution from the first minute, only once the race is underway.”
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