Ahead of Sunday's lunchtime kick-off in Bergamo, Luca Gotti discussed Atalanta's and his own team's form, as well as what will change over the coming matches due to injuries, suspensions, returning players and rotation.
What do you want to see from your players tomorrow? Will you be looking to start the game stronger given that much has been made of the fact that Udinese seem to perform better in the second half?
“It has happened a few times this season that we've played better in the second half than in the first, but the opposite has been true as well. As a coach you do have to look at these things because it's easy to say it all comes down to your approach to the game, the mental aspect. What I've seen this season – both in our games and others that I've seen – is that the space is different in the second half and it becomes a different game, which is better suited to certain players. That's something worth looking at more closely.”
Gerard Deulofeu has picked up an injury, although fortunately it doesn't look serious. What does that change for your team since he's been so influential this season?
“He's got this injury and we don't know how long he'll be out for but it shouldn't be too long. It's a shame, apart from for player himself, because we play Atalanta tomorrow and Verona on Wednesday – two games where individual duels and one-on-ones are key. Now we find ourselves without a player who excels in one-on-one situations.”
Given that both Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra – through suspension – are both unavailable, have you had to come up with a different game plan?
“Every team changes the way they play against Atalanta because Atalanta are so different and so powerful you simply have to change. We must go out there ready for that and with a clear game plan of our own.”
Does the current situation and three games you have over the next week mean there will be opportunities for other players who have featured less so far?
“That certainly will be the case over the next three matches, especially as they'll all take a lot out of us physically given the intensity with which our opponents play. So yes, I'll be using more players.”
You must be happy to see the likes of Ilija Nestorovski and Isaac Success training with the squad again?
“It's good for the players themselves first of all. Success has had these ongoing niggles but hopefully he's getting over them now. Nestorovski has been out for a long time but a 30-year-old who suffers a long injury and finally gets back out on the pitch is full of enthusiasm and hopefully that will rub off on the others.”
Atalanta have something of a defensive emergency but very nearly pulled off a shock win at Manchester United in midweek. What sort of team are you expecting?
“Atalanta were superb in the first half on Wednesday and I was very sorry to see them not get their reward in the second half for such a a great performance.”
There will be a number of former Udinese players involved tomorrow – Juan Musso the most recent, but also Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata, who have scored against Udinese before. Are you worried they'll have an extra incentive to do well?
“Muriel and Zapata have been scoring against pretty much every team for a while now, not just Udinese. It will be nice to see Juan again tomorrow.”