Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini left Papu Gomez on the bench for their 3-0 victory over Fiorentina on Sunday.

The pair clashed last week and Gasperini addressed the situation after yesterday's win.

“We had played nine Serie A games and six in the Champions League, I think Gomez was the only one to play in all of them. We've been more solid recently with this new system and so we are trying other alternatives," began Gasperini.

“I consider it indispensable to keep changing and evolving. I have always been at clubs for quite a long time, at least usually. Around five years for a coach is a long time, so it's indispensable to seek other alternatives.

“My first Atalanta was completely different to the current iteration, for example. We also saw some things against Ajax that we will try to adopt and learn from, because in the Champions League every week, we are learning and evolving our game when up against different football cultures."

The coach was then asked if Gomez would be leaving next month.

“That is not the case. I think the club has to make strong choices on how to set targets for the team and coach in future. That's not necessarily results, but how to behave and approach games. We have to look to the future, because when you stop and get stuck in your ways, it ends up being like going backwards.

“If the coach is not in sync with his club, then it becomes a problem, but we always exchange ideas, there's no issue."

Asked if things could yet be fixed, Gasperini left the door ajar.

“I think Gomez has been our most important player over these five years, I said it many times, he was hardly ever out of the team. There are some situations…

“For example, after two years, Papu's role was difficult in some games for the team to handle, because the opponents can change and adapt to neutralise you.

“At the basis of everything, we need trust and being open to listening. I don't know how the situation will be resolved. It's disappointing for Josip Ilicic, as he got dragged into this whole situation in the media and had nothing to do with it."