Atalanta coach reflects on the 2–2 Coppa Italia semifinal in a strangely quiet Stadio Olimpico
Raffaele Palladino believes the 2–2 draw between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal was a fair outcome.
Speaking after the match at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, the Atalanta coach praised his team’s reaction and performance against a well-organized opponent, while acknowledging the strange atmosphere created by the fan boycott.
“A Balanced Game”
Palladino described the match as a highly competitive encounter between two strong sides.
“It was a good and balanced game against a strong team like Lazio,” he said during his post-match press conference. “They can put you in difficulty at any moment and they are very well coached.”
According to the Atalanta manager, his team produced an excellent first half, controlling possession and disrupting Lazio’s rhythm through patient buildup play.
“In the first half we moved the ball well and managed to throw Lazio off their game,” he explained. “What we lacked was the final decision in the last 25 meters, which is often the most important moment of an attack.”
Quick Reactions in the Second Half
After falling behind during the second half, Atalanta responded immediately — not once but twice — to level the scoreline.
Palladino praised the mentality of his players, highlighting their ability to react under pressure.
“After conceding the goal we had a great reaction,” he said. “We equalized twice and take home a good result. Everything is still open and we want to try to reach the final.”
With the tie perfectly balanced, the decisive second leg will determine which team advances to the Coppa Italia final.
The Impact of an Empty Stadium
One of the most unusual aspects of the match was the atmosphere at the Olimpico, where Lazio’s organized supporters continued their protest against club management.
The absence of a full crowd did not go unnoticed by Palladino.
“I’m sorry to see an empty stadium,” he said. “Football is beautiful because of the fans. Playing like this is not good for the game.”
At the same time, the coach said he understood the supporters’ position.
“We respect their choice, even if it’s sad for the spectacle.”
The Challenge of the Final Third
Palladino also discussed one of the key tactical challenges his team faced — making the right decisions in the attacking phase.
“The last 25 meters are the hardest part of football to train,” he explained. “Spaces are smaller and the time to make decisions becomes shorter.”
For Atalanta, the problem was not finding the spaces but choosing the right option when they reached them.
“Today we knew where the spaces would be, but sometimes we didn’t make the right decision,” Palladino said. “In the second half we did it better and became more dangerous, which allowed us to score twice.”
With the semifinal still wide open, Atalanta now head into the return leg confident they can finish the job and book their place in the Coppa Italia final.
