The Italian side are determined to continue their fairytale run in the competition and show they can match with the biggest clubs
Atalanta have a responsibility “not to disappoint” when they face Neymar and Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, Gian Piero Gasperini says.
The Serie A side are the last Italian team left in the Champions League in what is their first appearance in Europe’s top competition.
Gasperini’s men have become renowned as one of Italy and Europe’s most entertaining teams: they scored 98 times in Serie A this season and have averaged two goals for and two against per Champions League match.
The Bergamo region was hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and Gasperini thinks Atalanta owe it to themselves and their supporters at home to stick to their principles in the quarter-final.
“We know very well the anticipation around this match, given the passion and love around Bergamo for Atalanta,” he said.
“This year, there is even more motivation given all that has happened. It’s a football match but we have to represent our region in the best way possible.
“We arrive in the best mental condition. We’ve got some very important results after the lockdown.
“We are proof that even a team without a European heritage can do well and achieve important goals through playing, enthusiasm and other things.
“We have a responsibility to ourselves not to disappoint. We want to continue to show that Atalanta can sit at the table of the biggest clubs.”
The threat of Covid-19 means the remaining Champions League matches are being held as one-off ties behind closed doors in the neutral city of Lisbon.
Gasperini admits he would prefer to have a two-legged tie, saying Atalanta “historically have done well in the second match”.
“We are facing a team we’ve never faced before and have no direct parameters in terms of meeting their players,” he said.
Kylian Mbappe is an injury doubt and Angel Di Maria is suspended, but Gasperini expects his players to have their hands full when it comes to stopping Neymar.
“He is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the world. It’s a problem for anyone to face him,” he said.
“The best way to defend is to play well. We’ll try to stop him with our organisation. We’ve faced a lot of strong players.”
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