De Ketelaere: Atalanta won in a ‘great way’, ‘wonderful’ to score again | OneFootball

Charles De Ketelaere was pleased to see Atalanta get back to winning ways in ‘a beautiful match’ against Sturm Graz, but he won’t settle for his side’s qualification to the Champions League knockout phase play-off, admitting they ‘have to aim’ to reach the top eight.

The Belgium international was awarded the Man of the Match prize for his display in La Dea’s 5-0 win in their last match at home in the league phase, once again earning the spotlight with his fourth goal from seven European outings.

epa11842659 Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini (R) and Sturm Graz’s coach Jurgen Saumel interact during the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and SK Sturm Graz at Bergamo Stadium in Bergamo, Italy, 21 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MICHELE MARAVIGLIA

After bouncing back from a troubled experience at Milan and rediscovering form under Gian Piero Gasperini in Bergamo, the 23-year-old wants to ‘keep going like this’ and insists his side must now give their all to beat Barcelona in the final Champions League round.

De Ketelaere: Atalanta will try to beat Barcelona, I always try to improve

“It was important to get back to winning, and we did it in a great way. A beautiful match, with plenty of chances,” De Ketelaere told Sky Sport Italia, as quoted by TMW.

“Of course, we have to aim to get to the top eight. It won’t be easy because Barcelona is very strong, but if we don’t try, what’s the point of going?

“I scored another one today, it’s all so wonderful. I’ve always believed in myself and tried to improve. I’ve been feeling good for a few years now, and I need to keep going like this.”

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

Atalanta haven’t won any of their last four Serie A games, allowing Napoli to open up a seven-point gap at the top of the league, but the attacking midfielder warned their next opponents they now have a ‘strong desire’ to build on their European win.

“We always aim to win the next match,” he concluded.

“On Saturday, we play Como, which are a good team. We need to go there with a strong desire to win.”