Down to Ten Men

Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini has dismissed the club’s prospects of challenging for the Serie A crown following their 5-0 thumping of AC Milan. Atalanta have remained in the top six of the Italian top-flight for most of the season and they have gone into the winter break in the fifth spot, four points behind the Champions League places.

Speaking in a press conference, Gasperini was pleased with the club’s strong end to the year which has seen them keep up in the top-four race and qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. He added that Atalanta are unlikely to recover the 11-point gap to Inter and Juventus in the race for the league title and the focus remains on attaining Champions League football for the next campaign.

Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte has indicated that he has no concerns with the Inter Milan hierarchy despite his outburst following the midweek Champions League defeat at Borussia Dortmund. The Nerazzurri had a two-goal lead over the Bundesliga side on Tuesday night but they squandered the advantage to suffer a 3-2 defeat.

Owing to that result, they find themselves in the need to win both of their remaining games against Barcelona and Slavia Prague and that contributed to the frustration for Conte, who blamed the Nerazzurri board for the poor planning with the squad. However, when asked about the same this afternoon, Conte has dismissed any differences with the board but stated that the club should have done better in the summer transfer market.

Juventus attacker Juan Cuadrado has said that Inter Milan are a strong team and the Bianconeri face a strong challenge for the Serie A title this season. The Bianconeri have dominated the proceedings in the Italian top-flight with eight titles on the bounce but they could face a tougher test this season with Antonio Conte’s side making a strong start to the campaign.

Speaking to reporters, Cuadrado said that the Nerazzurri deserve to hold the advantage at the top of the table but his team have the chance to fight back when they face each other next weekend, he told: “Inter are surely a great team, they have everything to be there. We have to keep fighting to stay ahead, the next game is sure to be a good one to play. We hope to be 100% for this challenge. I’ve always been on the wing, but I’m available to the coach to give 100% to the team, even more so in this moment of emergency. I’ll try to give my best and do well in the defence.”

Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan has said that he is unsure regarding his Arsenal future following his loan move to AS Roma. The 30-year-old joined the Giallorossi on loan prior to the European transfer deadline but the deal does not include the option to buy at the end of the campaign.

Speaking to VBET News, Mkhitaryan said that he is focused on the job ahead with the Giallorossi and he cannot predict his future beyond the current campaign, he told: “Let's first see what I can do in Roma. At the end of the season I think we can talk if I will have the possibility to stay or to go to something else, I don't know.Now, I cannot say about future, it's better to be focused on the next games."

Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Patrick Cutrone has said that Italian teams tend to favour foreign players rather than banking on the local talent. The Italy international ended his 12-year association with boyhood club AC Milan earlier this summer after he was handed with the chance to join the Premier League with Wolves.

Since then, he has made an impression with three assists in the Europa League third round qualifying but he has yet to be rewarded with a starting role in the league. Speaking to Goal.com Cutrone revealed that domestic prospects don’t stand much of a chance of excelling in the Serie A, given the top sides tend to look at signing foreign-based players.

Juventus’ new signing Matthijs de Ligt has acknowledged that he has been surprised with the quality of players present in the club’s ranks. The Netherlands international had been linked with some of Europe’s elite clubs this summer but the Bianconeri eventually won the race to land his signature from Ajax.

Speaking to reporters, De Ligt revealed that he has formed an instant bond with his new teammates and he is learning more from the experienced players within the squad. He added that he has been surprised with the intensity of the players in training and may have to up his game to match up to the level, he told: "I get on well with my teammates, they are very nice. I learn from them every day. There are many experienced players so I am really happy. I am surprised by everyone's level: they are all concentrated, no one stands out because many individuals are strong. It is difficult to play with such strong players but I will do my best."