Gian Piero Gasperini is the trending coach in Italy. He has taken the modest Atalanta of Bergamo to the top positions in Italian and European football.
This Wednesday Atalanta plays its last chances to qualify among the top eight in the Champions League in Montjuïc against Barça. To do so, it must win or draw in Montjuïc against a Barça that arrives with its homework done.
"I regret not being able to play in one of the best stadiums in the world"
The Italian coach has shown himself to be especially affectionate with Barça and everything it represents upon his arrival in Barcelona.
He regretted not being able to play the match at Camp Nou because "without a doubt, it's one of the best stadiums in the world."
Gasperini spoke about Szczęsny: "He was at Juventus for many years. He's a great goalkeeper and an extraordinary athlete. We can't judge a goalkeeper by one match or one mistake".
He has also praised Barça: "The Barça of before wasn't just Messi. The others were also leaders, and Flick has built a great team".
"Barça always plays well with its young talents"
Asked about Flick's team's play, he said: "Barça always plays well, always has young talents. They are all fast, quick, and technical players".
And he added, amazed by what he has seen: "They bet on another type of footballer. In Italy, we trust the algorithm too much. At Barça, unbelievable talents always emerge, it's the ultimate in football".
Flick's Barça play is admired in Europe, and its excellence crosses borders. Gasperini knows he faces a team that has scored 12 goals in its last two matches against Benfica and Valencia.
He values the work done at the club in training footballers who are destined to write pages of glory in the future.
Gasperini knows what he is up against and is convinced that the Barça-Atalanta match this Wednesday in Montjuïc will live up to the high expectations. He just hopes not to suffer the same fate as Benfica and Valencia.