Gasperini: ‘Atalanta earned right to face Barcelona’ | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini wants Atalanta to relish every moment of their historic clash against Barcelona in the Champions League. ‘We earned the right to face one of the best in the world.’

It kicks off at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys at 20.00 GMT, as Camp Nou is undergoing reconstruction work.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Champions League games on the Liveblog.

Although La Dea are sure of at least a play-off spot, they could make it into the top eight of Europe’s biggest competition, another step forward after winning the Europa League last season.

Gasperini wants ambitious Atalanta

epa11790331 Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Atalanta BC vs Empoli FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 22 December 2024. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

“I would like us to play a great game without trying to calculate what they need, because the lads earned their right to face one of the best teams in the world,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Barcelona are scoring a lot of goals. It’s a big test for us, and we know it will be difficult, but it will remain regardless and experience in this club’s history forever.”

It is the first time that the Bergamo side have ever faced Barcelona in a competitive fixture, having played Real Madrid already twice this term between the Champions League and UEFA Supercup.

Atalanta have remarkably won all their away games in the Champions League so far this season.

Gasperini was also asked about the transfer window, especially after Odilon Kossounou and Ademola Lookman suffered injuries.

“If there are good opportunities, then we will try to take them, but we are also well aware that Gianluca Scamacca will be back in the squad very soon and that is a huge boost.”