Alejandro 'Papu' Gomez stated that, two months ago, he was against playing again in Italy as there was a state of emergency due to the coroanvirus. Now says that "it's different now" and that Serie A can resume under these conditions.
Gomez, who scored seven goals and gave 12 assists in 33 matches this year, said in an interview with 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', that there are lots of people who need football to live, not only the footballers." He did so referring to the coronavirus crisis.
"If I had been asked two months ago whether he wanted to keep on competing, I'd have said no. But now, there is more security, this virus seems less aggressive and I'm in favour of playing again. Serie A is an industry which involves millions, there are lots of people who need football to live, not only the players," Gomez said.
"Football is a spectacle, we are very keen to get going again, without thinking about having to play 13 games in 43 days," he added.
Serie A was interrupted on 9th March and will return on 20th June with the aim of completing the competition by 2nd August. Atalanta, in fourth position, will have to play every three days and it will begin on 21st June against Sassuolo. Papu, leader and captain of an Atalanta side who qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals, seemed in favour of there being some fans at the stadia in the next few weeks.
"I'd like there to be people at the ground, that is what fans want. I don't think it's crazy. If shopping centres can open, why can't a stadium, which is outdoors, open?," he questioned.
He admitted that he feels in good form because his body "needs 15 or 20 days to be right" and he considered that, as it's behind closed doors, the mental aspect will be key.
"The values (of the teams) are the same, but we are starting again. It will be a mental thing especially. We are in a great moment of form and enthusiasm leads you to triumph. Playing every three days means everything is possible, perhaps you win two games and then lose the next two," he said.
And, on the fact he is competing behind closed doors, he highlighted: "We have managed to get more points away from home than at home. But the support of our fans is very important. It will be the same for the clubs that miss out on 50,000 or 60,000 fans. That night at the Mestalla (in the last 16 of the Champions League against Valencia), we conceded three goals. What would have happened with 50,000 people in the stands?"
Atalanta knocked out Valencia in the last 16 after winning 4-1 at home with fans and 3-4 away, behind closed doors.