Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini wary of Celtic despite demolition in Dortmund

Gian Piero Gasperini will not read much into Celtic’s difficulties in Dortmund as the Atalanta head coach outlined his own ultimately successful approach of sticking to his principles in Europe.

Celtic are looking for vast improvement from their 7-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in Germany when they take on Gasperini’s side in Bergamo on Wednesday.

Brendan Rodgers’ side had opened their Champions League campaign with a 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava but their attacking style came unstuck in Germany.

Gasperini knows heavy defeats are not uncommon in the competition and will not write off a Celtic side whose approach he admires.

“You need to be careful, when we’re talking about the Champions League, because there’s some top teams,” the 66-year-old said. “Against the top teams, if you perhaps get your approach wrong, you can concede a lot of goals. We’ve seen these kind of contrasting results so far as a result.

“So we will be taking into account the past two matches, but all the other games, such as the ones in the league as well.

“Atalanta would never underestimate an opponent. Celtic, especially in attack, are a very dangerous side, a very fast, rapid team. They’re used to winning, and they’re used to winning well.

“We need to be very attentive if we want to win this game. And to do so, we’ll have to put in a very good performance.”

Gasperini added: “The entire attack certainly is of concern. They’re fast. They obviously have their attacking players but also the midfielders join in with the attack as well.

“We have to be at our very best, very attentive of their rapidity and their ability to always score lots of goals. Celtic always tend to score and get into scoring positions.”

Atalanta suffered some heavy defeats themselves during their first two Champions League group campaigns in 2019 and 2020, including a 5-0 home loss against Liverpool, but went on to reach the last 16 each time.

And Gasperini’s attacking style firmly paid off last season when they beat Liverpool 3-0 at the Gewiss Stadium on their way to winning the Europa League.

The former Inter manager, who is in his ninth season in charge of Atalanta, sees a kindred spirit in Rodgers.

“He is a very attacking coach,” he said. “Because if you’re a team that wins a lot, you have to attack.

“You have to be balanced. In Italy, we say the best teams are the ones that have the best defence. But if you look at the numbers, it’s actually the teams that also score a lot of goals. If you want to win, it’s obvious you have to score.

“When we played Liverpool at home, we conceded five goals for the first time. Another time, five goals against City.

“But we learned from those experiences. We then picked up draws and then eventually went on to win those kind of games. You can never turn down and ignore your spirit, your style. You have to be true to that.

“And there’s phases in which you grow as a result with that.

“There is no obvious solution to win. The Champions League is obviously at times exclusive to some of the top, top teams.

“As for our club, we never want to alter our approach but stick to our beliefs.”