As the season reaches its thrilling climax, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini is pulling out all the stops to keep his squad fresh for the final push. With Champions League qualification—a feat the club hasn't achieved in eight years—hanging in the balance, every decision counts.
In a strategic move to manage player fatigue, Gasperini opted for a lighter training session this week, prioritizing recovery for his most-used stars. The message was clear: preserving energy is just as important as tactics at this stage of the campaign.
According to reports from Il Messaggero, the starting lineup underwent a personalized gym session yesterday, with a special focus on those who have logged the most minutes this season. Donny Malen, who showed signs of exhaustion after the intense clash with Fiorentina, was among those given a partial rest two days ago—and he wasn't alone.
Six outfield players have already surpassed the 2,300-minute mark in Serie A this term: Wesley (2,300), Koné (2,363), Celik (2,469), Ndicka (2,554), Mancini (2,797), and Cristante (2,856). That's a heavy workload by any standard, and Gasperini is clearly keen to avoid burnout as the team heads into the final three matches.
All key players are expected to return to full training today for a late-morning session, followed by the coach's press conference and the team's departure for Parma. Gasperini wants no stone left unturned—and his top performers ready to fire on all cylinders.
On the injury front, Stephan El Shaarawy and Pierluigi Gollini were sidelined yesterday. However, there's hope that El Shaarawy could be fit just in time for the Tardini clash, adding another attacking option for the crucial fixture.
With everything on the line, Gasperini's careful management of his squad could be the difference between a historic Champions League berth and a disappointing end to the season. For fans and fantasy managers alike, this is the time to watch closely.
