DBasia.news – The results of the draw for the top 16 of the Champions League brought Atalanta against 13-time champions, Real Madrid. The first leg will take place at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on February 25, 2020 at 03.00 WIB.
When compared to the experience, quality, and big name of Real Madrid and their history in Europe, La Dea, Atalanta’s nickname, holds the non-seeded status. This was realized by Atalanta President, Antonio Percassi.
“Real Madrid is a fantastic team, they are the history of world football,” Precassi said as quoted by SportItalia journalist, Alfredo Pedulla.
“It will be a great experience for us and we are delighted to have another world class match. It is great pride for us to advance to the second phase of the Champions League once again.”
Atalanta has indeed become one of the best debutant teams last season who made it through to the quarter-finals. Moreover, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has a unique game in Europe: offensive and scoring lots of goals.
However, at the moment, Atalanta is in a condition that is not ideal. In Serie A, they have been inconsistent and team captain, Alejandro “Papu” Gomez reportedly had a missunderstanding with Gasperini. The news was even more evident after Gasperini put Gomez against Fiorentina on the bench.
Atalanta won 3-0 but Gomez was left on the bench and Gasperini denied any problems. Gomez is left on the bench due to a tactical decision.
“We have played nine Serie A games and six in the Champions League, I think Gomez is the only player who has played in all of them. We have recently become more solid with this new system, so we are trying other alternatives,” stated Gasperini.
“I consider it important to keep changing and developing. I have always been at the club for quite some tome. Five years as a coach is a long time, so it is necessary to find alternatives.”
“My first Atalanta was completely different from the current team, for example. We also saw some things against Ajax that we will try to adopt and learn, as in the Champions League every week, we learned and developed our game while facing a different football culture. “
Regarding the issue of his conflict with Gomez Gasperini, he admitted that he did not know how the situation would end in the future. As is well known, Gomez reportedly left in January 2021.
“I think Gomez has been our most important player for these five years, I said it many times, he almost never leaves the team. There are several situations,” added Gasperini.
“For example, after two years, Papu’s role in some matches was challenging for the team to handle, as the opponent can change and adapt to neutralize you.”
“On a basis of everything, we need trust and are open to listening. I don’t know how the situation will be resolved. It’s disappointing for Josip Ilicic, because he’s been dragged into this whole situation in the media and has nothing to do with it.”
Gomez (32 years old) has been defending Atalanta from 2014. The Argentine player promised to reveal everything when he left Atalanta.
“Dear fans, I am writing to you here because I have no other way to defend myself or speak to you,” stated Gomez.
“I just wanted to tell you that, when I am gone, I will know the truth about everything. You know me well, you know who I am. I love you, your captain.”