Gian Piero Gasperini admitted that the lack of fit strikers from Atalanta cost them in their search for the Serie A title after their scoreless draw against Cagliari on Saturday.
In a game without clear opportunities, Atalanta was unable to find a way along the 13th -placed side of the division, so that they stayed third in the rankings.
The result was made frustrating after leaders Napoli were later held with Lazio on Saturday with a 2-2 draw with Lazio, with the gorge to the top at five points.
During the game at the Gediss Stadium, Atalanta could only register nine shots, two of which were on goal, ending with an expected goals (XG) total of only 0.44.
Those struggles in the last third were not helped by the absence of breathola lookman, Gianluca Scamacca and Daniel Maldini, all out with injuries.
Although Gasperini was only the second manager in the Serie A who reached 600 points in the competition with a single team, he was unable to mark the opportunity with a victory.
“We could have taken all three points today, but we are currently dealing with a numerical shortage,” Gasperini told Dazn.
“We suffer enormously against the absence of strikers, but those who alternate in these situations are extraordinary; everyone adapts.
“It has become more difficult for us to win victories, especially at home, despite the dominance of large parts of the game, and that is how we had this result.”
But the attentions of Atalanta and Gaskerini will be on their must-win Champions League play-off collision with Club Brugge next Tuesday.
The late penalty from Gustaf Nilsson earned Bruges a slim 2-1 advantage in the draw, in which Gasperini leads the club to the last 16 for the first time since 2020-21.
“We appreciate this competition a lot, especially after how the first stage ended. Bruges has both technical and athletic power, and we have to score goals,” he said.
“Winning the competition is not enough now, it has become more complicated with the outcome of that first stage.
“We have to give everything to continue to the next round, a round that was within our reach before the first leg.”
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