Papu Gomez: “After Inter, Atalanta can win the Scudetto”

Alejandro “Papu” Gomez, the Argentine forward currently serving a two-year suspension for a doping violation, recently shared his thoughts on Atalanta’s potential to win the Serie A title and his aspirations for the future. In an interview with L’Eco di Bergamo, Gomez reflected on his time with Atalanta and the current state of Italian football.

Gomez expressed optimism about Atalanta’s chances this season, stating, “To aim for the title, you need at least 85 points, which means very few mistakes in a season. Atalanta’s record is 78 points, so surpassing that threshold won’t be easy. But this year, the quota could be lower: I don’t see any unbeatable powerhouses.” He emphasized that Atalanta has a “solid squad” capable of competing but noted that success will depend on managing their energy across various competitions.

When discussing the competition, Gomez remarked, “Inter is still the strongest team, but they don’t have the same impact as last season. After them, I see Atalanta as a complete team—more so than Napoli, Milan, or Juventus, who are still in construction.” He added, “This could be a special year for Atalanta.”

Reflecting on a near-title-winning season in 2020, Gomez recalled a memorable match against Juventus: “We were impressive; we dominated the first half and took the lead, but it ended 2-2. If we had won that match, we would have been in serious contention.” He noted that today’s Atalanta team is more physical and complete than during his tenure.

Gomez also praised current players like Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere. He stated about Lookman: “He has an impressive ability to take on defenders throughout the match. He’s grown significantly in teamwork; you can see he now communicates with teammates and integrates well into Gasperini’s system.” On De Ketelaere, he compared him to Josip Ilicic: “He’s left-footed, tall, physical, and scores similar goals. He doesn’t yet have Ilicic’s creativity but can improve.”

Regarding Nicolò Zaniolo’s role within the team, Gomez commented, “The problem is where to play him. I don’t see him as a striker or an attacking midfielder. He has talent and physicality but needs to find the right position.”

Gomez also expressed confidence in Gianluca Scamacca: “When he arrived in Bergamo, I told him: ‘If you’re smart and follow Gasperini, you’ll score at least 20 goals.’ He’s proving to be a great striker.” However, he was cautious when comparing new signing Mateo Retegui to Duván Zapata: “It’s difficult; Duván was devastating—defenders feared him. Retegui is different but has all the qualities to make an impact.”

Looking ahead to his own future after suspension ends in 2025, Gomez declared his determination: “I want to return to playing. I’m training every day; I have a strong desire to get back on the field. I’d like to do it in Italy—maybe in Serie A or B—or abroad if necessary. After that, I’ll think about becoming an agent.”

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