The Italian Atalanta will enter their second Champions League play-off match against the Belgian Bruges with a goal deficit, after losing 1:2 in the first leg after a controversial penalty in added time, and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini said that simulations are killing football, BTA reported.
Gasperini was furious after the match in Belgium, also criticizing the decisions after the use of the video arbitration system-VAR after the 1:1 draw with Torino earlier this month.
Recently, Italian football bosses talked about the possibility of introducing changes to VAR, in which there would be a way, similar to tennis, for players to challenge the referee's decisions, but Gasperini does not support such a idea.
"I am against such a decision because it would slow down the game even more, and it is already slow due to the many interruptions", Gian Piero Gasperini told Sky Sports ahead of today's second leg against Bruges.
"This would have increased the controversy even more. There are four referees, three VAR, and that seems to me to be enough. We have to fight against simulations because they kill football. There are things that can knock you down and we have to be clear about the contacts that are allowed. Technology has to give answers and bear responsibility for making decisions,", the Atalanta coach also commented.
Gasperini hopes to be able to use striker Ademola Lookman at some stage in the match with Bruges. The Nigerian has scored four goals in the Champions League and 10 in Serie A this season, but has missed the last six games with a knee injury.
"Lukman was out of the game during that period, which led to fewer goals being scored and we were missing something in the attacking phase of the game. Now he seems to be back. My intention is to bring him off the bench and use him in possible extra time. The important thing is that he is well," Gasperini added.