Gasperini Respects ‘Extraordinary Player’, Ronaldo Ahead Atalanta Vs Man United

Atalanta manager, Gian Pietro Gasperini, has hailed Manchester United’s talismanic forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, as an ‘extraordinary player’ ahead of his side’s Champions League Group F clash with the Red Devils tonight at the at the Gewiss Stadium Bergamo, Italy.

Ronaldo scored the third goal when United beat the Serie A side 3-2 in the reverse fixture at the Old Trafford.

Now, Gasperini knows that his team must be wary of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner who has been in great form for the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

The Portugal captain has so far scored three Champions League and seven Premier League goals for United this term.

Atalanta coach Gasperini

Gasperini’s Atalanta are looking to making Cristiano Ronaldo quiet in front of their home fans, with fresh memories from the match at old Trafford in which he netted a late match winner for United.

Gasperini hailed Ronaldo’s quality during his pre-game virtual press conference on Monday.

“From the technical point of view he is an extraordinary player, but I think I am saying a banality, he is recognized by everyone, what he is doing at Manchester just think of Sunday’s [vs Tottenham] goal but also of all the others,” Gasperini remarked, as quoted by Dan Coombs in the article ‘Gasperini praises extraordinary Cristiano Ronaldo’ on TMW.

Gasperini also expressed sadness at Ronaldo’s decision to quit Juventus for Manchester United, describing him as an ‘incredible goal-scoring machine’ that Serie will miss. If wishes were horses, Gasperin hinted he would prefer that Ronaldo stayed in Italy because, personally, he wants to always to see the best players in the Serie A.

After three seasons at juventus, winnig two league titles and also emerging as the top scorer last season, Ronaldo virtually got the football world napping when rejecting Manchester City’s hopeful offer and switching to United.

Gasperini also spoke glowingly about Atlanta’s Colombian striker, Duvan Zapata, during the online press conference.

“He’s a top player, of the very highest quality, we can’t give away many chances to him or any of his team,” he said of Zapata.

Gasperni would also make a wish ahead of tonight’s game in Bergamo.

“So a win [for Atalanta] is very important, any other outcome will leave things up in the air,” he concluded.

Manchester United are top of the Champions League Group F on six points, while both Villarreal and Atalanta are behind on four points apiece, but the La Liga side are ahead in second position due to better goal difference. Young Boys of Switzerland are at the bottom of the group with three points.

By Chidinma Okoro