Gasperini: "We're up against one of the best teams in the world" | OneFootball

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini and midfielder Matteo Pessina spoke to the press to preview Tuesday night's Champions League clash against Real Madrid at the Alfredo Di Stéfan (9pm CET). The coach commented that: “We’re really motivated to go out and put in a good performance as we come up against one of the best teams in the world. Madrid were the favourites in the tie and are even more so now, but we're still in it and we head into the game looking to give a good account of ourselves and be competitive”.

“We face one of the most decorated clubs in the world. I see them as being a very technical side and are a world-class outfit. They’re a team that make few mistakes, they play at a high tempo and get things right. You only have to look at the goals Benzema scores to know that he's one of the best strikers in the world and his return gives Madrid an extra boost. But Madrid are not just about Benzema, their goals come from lots of different sources”.

Pessina: “Kroos pulls the strings” “These Champions League games are a dream come true for all footballers and to be involved in them  just tops the dream off. I came to Madrid in 2010 to watch the Champions League final and I was at the Bernabéu with my dad to watch it and I dreamed of playing in this competition. I've managed to do so and it's an honour for me. When you're actually out there, all of the excitement fades away and it's just another football match and 11 v 11. The good thing about these kinds of games is when you’re involved in them and it'll be important that we defend well”.

Praise for Kroos “I’d take Toni Kroos out of the Madrid side, he's the one who keeps them taking. He misplaces very few very few passes and everything goes through him. Although people don't take much notice of him, because he doesn’t get many goals, he offers that balance”.