Gian Piero Gasperini is glad Atalanta can get caught into the Champions League knockout section in opposition to Membership Brugge and hopes being again residence ‘gained’t have an effect on Charles De Ketelaere an excessive amount of.’
It kicks off on the Jan Breydelstadion in Bruges at 17.45 GMT.
Though they have been only one level off the highest eight and due to this fact direct entry to the Spherical of 16, La Dea have the most effective away report in the complete league section, profitable three and drawing 2-2 in Barcelona.
It was introduced in the present day that Gasperini has been awarded the Enzo Bearzot Prize for 2025, given to the most effective coach in Italian soccer, largely for his Europa League triumph final season.
“Now I’ve to show that I deserve it. Bearzot was an awesome man of sport and was all the time a reference for all coaches, so it’s an honour,”
Gasperini glad to be in knockout soccer
The primary leg of the Champions League play-off is that this night in Bruges, with the decider on the Gewiss Stadium subsequent Tuesday.
“That is not a league section, it’s a knockout spherical performed over two legs and each element will likely be vital.”
, who grew up within the Membership Brugge youth academy and was born close to the stadium, so he’ll have many family and friends in attendance tonight. There was additionally a banner within the stands welcoming him ‘again residence.’ Is there the danger it may very well be slightly overwhelming?
“We hope it gained’t have an effect on him an excessive amount of, however he grew up right here, he’s at residence and as soon as he will get onto the pitch, his thoughts will likely be on the match,” assured Gasperini.
Atalanta all the time play to assault and really hardly ever change their tactical form, however Gasperini assures that Membership Brugge are to be feared.
“We all the time take our opponents into consideration, we noticed their video games in opposition to Juventus and Milan, which have been each very robust performances for the Italian sides. They held Juve to a draw and it was actually troublesome for Milan when it was nonetheless 11 in opposition to 11.
“It’s the Champions League, there aren’t any straightforward video games.”