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| Del Neri plays down success |
Tuesday 17 February, 2009 |
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Atalanta Coach Gigi Del Neri has refused to get carried away and talk about Europe after his side beat Roma at the weekend.
The Orobici scored three goals in seven second half minutes, then shut up shop to defeat the Giallorossi by an impressive 3-0 scoreline.
“I leave dreaming to the fans,” Del Neri told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I don't even know how to pronounce the word 'dream.'
“We have the job of making them dream, though, and going forward with this winning mentality to realise new objectives.”
The 58-year-old tactician insisted survival remains Atalanta's No 1 priority and that he wants to beat last season's points total of 48.
“There is safety at 40 points,” Del Neri explained. “But that will not be a final point of arrival. We will always play to win, to obtain the best we can within our limits. We'll do our accounts in May.
“The table calms us, but it's dangerous to lapse and forget the tension. For example, after survival we have to record at least one more point than the 48 that were achieved last year.”
When asked what the secret was behind Atalanta's success, Del Neri replied: “A set of pieces that fit together well like a puzzle.
“The defence concedes little, the central midfield and attack give quality and quantity. I have a group of youngsters and experts with all the important technical and human qualities.”
Del Neri, who first came to prominence at Chievo, was then asked to compare Atalanta to his former team.
“Chievo was a team that had 4-4-2 in its DNA - direct football, with every piece in place, with quick and precise execution,” he said.
“Atalanta play 4-4-1-1 instead. The team has better variables on the flanks. There is a lot of possession football and Cristiano Doni expresses his fantasia.”
The Orobici currently lie eighth in Serie A and are back in action this weekend when they travel to Sampdoria.
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