Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted Marten De Roon and Robin Gosens won’t feature in Tuesday’s mouth-watering Champions League clash with Liverpool, speaking to Gianluca di Marzio.
Which is a shame really.
For the purists and neutrals, the chance to see Europe’s most creative full-backs go head to head in Bergamo would have been a sight to behold.
Trent Alexander-Arnold may be viewed by many as the finest full-back in the world but even he would struggle to match Atalanta’s German express train when it comes to making a difference in the final third.
With ten goals from the left-hand side, Gosens was the most prolific full-back around last season.
The former Heracles man produced eight assists too, with his barnstorming forward bursts likely to cause major problems for a Liverpool side that’s arguably weak down the right – at least defensively.
Fortunately for Alexander-Arnold, however, Gosens will play no part on Tuesday. And neither will De Roon, Atalanta’s ball-winning enforcer.
“I believe for us the two matches with Liverpool are fundamental. We will face off with the best team in the group,” Gasperini says.
“It is important to gain results in these matches to give us a small advantage over Ajax.
“In football the strongest team doesn’t always win. If you are weaker, you can earn a result. This is what we hope to do.
“De Roon and Gosens will be out.”
Its not all bad news for the Italians, however.
Gasperini adds rampaging right-back Hans Hateboer could be fit while centre-backs Berat Djimsiti and Rafael Toloi have recovered from their own injury problems.
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