Atalanta can dream of Scudetto after Juventus rout, says Gasperini
Atalanta are three points behind Serie A leaders Inter, who they host next week, after recording a statement victory over Juventus in Turin.
Atalanta can dream of Scudetto glory after thrashing Juventus 4-0 to move within three points of Serie A leaders Inter, believes coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Atalanta produced an outstanding performance to claim victory at the Allianz Stadium and move up to 58 points, with a huge home clash with Inter in the diary for Sunday.
Mateo Retegui, Marten de Roon, Davide Zappacosta and Ademola Lookman all scored as La Dea inflicted Juventus' heaviest home defeat since October 1967 – a 4-0 derby loss to Torino.
It was the first time in their history that Atalanta had scored four goals in a league game against the Bianconeri, or beaten them by at least two goals on the road.
Gasperini told reporters after the game that the result could be the catalyst for something special.
"We must never stop dreaming. We may say it's impossible, but if you believe enough, things can become possible," Gasperini said.
"We know Inter and Napoli are two excellent teams, we have lost our last seven in a row against Inter, but that too might be a signal.
"We had never reached this stage of the season in the running for the top spot, so you never know."
Despite Sunday's victory, the Opta supercomputer gives Atalanta just a 6.3% chance of becoming Italian champions for the first time in their history.
Napoli have a 26.5% probability of winning their fourth Scudetto, with Inter retaining the trophy in 66.9% of season simulations.
Juventus had won five straight league games before facing Gasperini's men, while they were unbeaten in 21 home Serie A matches since February 2024 (10 wins, 11 draws).
"The result speaks for itself, for us it's a sensational result. It's difficult to imagine such a victory on the eve of the game, given Juventus' winning streak," Gasperini said.
"It was an almost perfect performance, because we missed a few too many goals. Today we played a great game."
Gasperini also praised striker Lookman for scoring his 13th Serie A goal of the campaign, weeks after the duo became embroiled in a public spat.
Gasperini called Lookman "one of the worst penalty takers I have ever seen" following Atalanta's Champions League exit at the hands of Club Brugge, in comments the Nigerian described as disrespectful, prompting talk of a potential transfer.
"People may have different views. Lookman became a fantastic player when he thought more about the team," Gasperini said.
"He made Atalanta great and Atalanta made him great. I'm convinced that in the end he'll wear the captain's armband, so he'll have Atalanta on his skin."