Gasperini: Five-goal victory not a shot in the arm for Atalanta

Atalanta entered the game on a three-game winless run, having lost to Bologna in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Tuesday following draws in the league and the Champions League.

"These are games that we like to play because they give us a boost," Gasperini said at a press conference.

"Self-esteem? We drew in Barcelona, we played great games against Como and Torino.

"There is no need to regain any self-esteem, it is a team that has always been up to the task.

"It is part of football, those who do not understand this... they do not follow it very carefully."

Europa League champions Atalanta had won only one of their previous six Serie A games after previously racking up 11 consecutive wins.

Gasperini also lavished praise upon his striker Mateo Retegui, who ended the first half with a hat-trick before adding another goal after the interval.

"He's extraordinary when the team dominates, like today," Gasperini said.

"An extraordinary scorer – 20 goals so far is an incredible number. There are also games that he doesn't dominate, when you are forced to defend and there is room for improvement."

Next up, Atalanta visit Belgian champions Club Brugge on Wednesday, for the first leg of their Champions League knockout-stage play-off tie.

"(Marco) Carnesecchi had a fever, we'll see for Brugge," Gasperini said.

"(Ademola) Lookman took a big knock from Napoli, I don't know if he'll be able to play on Wednesday. (Sead) Kolasinac has a pulled muscle, which has plagued him in recent months, he won't be there.

"(Daniel) Maldini arrived on Monday and I threw him on the pitch straight away, yesterday in the finishing touches of training he felt a little discomfort, so we'll see."