Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said the city of Bergamo’s terrible suffering during the coronavirus pandemic provides “extra motivation” to his side as the Italian underdogs go into Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain in Lisbon.
“We know the level
of expectation that there is around this match, and how much passion there is
for Atalanta in Bergamo and the surrounding province,” Gasperini told reporters
on Tuesday.
“There is extra
motivation for us after what has happened. We have to represent our city in the
best possible way and give the people something to smile about.”
Bergamo, near Milan
in northern Italy, was one of the worst hit regions in Italy when the
coronavirus pandemic was at its peak earlier this year.
At one point the
army was called in to take away coffins because local morgues could not cope
with the number of virus deaths.
But on the field
Atalanta are enjoying the best spell in their history.
This is their first Champions League campaign but they have just finished third for the second year running in Serie A — scoring 98 goals in the process in their 38 matches — so will be back at Europe’s top table again next season.
“We come into the
game in great condition. Our league form has been great and allowed us to
finish third again,” added the 62-year-old.
“We have shown that
without being a big club or having massive investment it is possible to do well
in the Champions League with passion, good football and desire.”
“These are
unlimited resources that are available to everyone.”
Atalanta will go
into the game at the Estadio da Luz without Josip Ilicic.
The Slovenian
scored all four goals in the 4-3 win at Valencia in the last 16 second leg that
took Atalanta through 8-4 on aggregate but is missing here for personal
reasons.
