Audero remains focused: “Our objective doesn’t change”

Despite a string of saves straight out of the top drawer, Emil Audero was unable to prevent Sampdoria slipping to a painful home defeat against Atalanta.

“It was a long and evenly-match game,” the keeper said following a result that damages, but not necessarily derails, the club’s European ambitions. “In these types of matches, individual moments make the difference.

“Their goals were a bit strange: the first was a bit scrappy and the second from an impossibly tight angle. That’s how it went, it’s a shame. We deserved more.”

After Robin Gosens’ finish to restore Atalanta’s lead, the Blucerchiati did have their chances to drag themselves level again.

“We had a great chance at the end with Ekdal’s header, but their keeper did brilliantly. We had to move on now because there are still loads of fixtures to play.

“Our aim has to be to remain close to the teams above us. Let’s stay focused on our objective because that what we’ll fight right until the end.”