LATEST NEWS: “He’s like a cat!” – Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini highlights David Raya for his impressive performance following the draw against Arsenal.
Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini offered significant praise to David Raya for his remarkable double-save during Atalanta’s Champions League draw against Arsenal, comparing the goalkeeper’s sharp reflexes to those of a cat. Gasperini highlighted the importance of Raya’s quick reactions in keeping the game goalless.
The match saw Atalanta earn a penalty in the 48th minute following a careless foul by Thomas Partey on Ederson. Mateo Retegui stepped up to take the spot-kick. Raya reacted swiftly, diving low to his right to stop Retegui’s shot. Not only did he block the initial attempt, but he quickly bounced back to his feet to prevent the striker’s headed rebound from finding the net.
This double-save stood out in an otherwise underwhelming match where both teams struggled to create clear opportunities, with each side managing just two shots on target throughout the 90 minutes. Gasperini was particularly impressed by Raya’s ability to make such a crucial save under pressure.
“He’s like a cat! The first save was good, but the second one, stopping the rebound, was outstanding,” Gasperini remarked during his post-match press conference. He added that, for Retegui, the bigger miss might have been the rebound rather than the penalty itself, although Gasperini felt that the goalkeeper was pivotal in the moment. Gasperini also expressed some sympathy for Retegui, believing it was one of the striker’s best performances since joining the club and that scoring a goal would have been the perfect way to cap it off.
Despite the draw, Gasperini was satisfied with his team’s overall performance against Arsenal, who were last season’s Premier League runners-up. He acknowledged that there were still areas for improvement but found the game valuable for the team’s growth in the competition.
Gasperini reflected on the match, stating, “It was a valuable game because we faced a very challenging opponent. They were tough to break down, but we didn’t give away many chances.” He also noted that his strikers showed significant progress, and the match hinted at the potential to play with a three-striker formation moving forward. Gasperini believed this tactical shift could benefit both the attackers and the defense, while also emphasizing that playing against a well-organized team like Arsenal was a learning experience.
After the match, David Raya credited his goalkeeping coach, Inaki Cana, for the advice he provided before the penalty. Raya explained that there had been a long delay while the penalty decision was reviewed, and he used that time to consult with Cana. “I spoke with the goalie coach to get a clearer idea of where to dive and how to approach the penalty. He helped me a lot in every aspect,” Raya told TNT Sports. He emphasized the importance of Cana’s guidance in preparing for such crucial moments, giving credit to his coach for the outcome.