Raffaele Palladino says that he’s joyful to see Ademola Lookman again in coaching forward of schedule after the Africa Cup of Nations, and believes that Atalanta have a ‘nice alternative’ once they face Athletic Membership within the Champions League on Wednesday night time.
Atalanta sit in a formidable fifth place within the Champions League standings, degree on factors with PSG and Manchester Metropolis in third and fourth respectively. All of them have 13 factors from their first six video games within the competitors this season.
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La Dea have additionally received three of their final 4 Serie A matches, however had been over the weekend.
Palladino on Atalanta vs. Atlethic Membership, Lookman and ‘struggles’ in opposition to smaller sides
BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Raffaele Palladino Head Coach of Atalanta BC seems to be on previous to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Torino FC at Gewiss Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Pictures)
Throughout his pre-match on Tuesday night, Palladino was requested what it’s going to take to earn redemption in opposition to Athletic Membership on Wednesday.
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“We’ll begin once more with the spirit that we’ve had during the last two months,” he stated. “The Champions League offers you a giant aggressive cost, however that also needs to be the case within the league.
“Now we have a fantastic alternative to do properly tomorrow. We’ve had six victories for the reason that Chelsea recreation and that exhibits that the group is rising recreation after recreation.”
Palladino was requested if he thinks that Atalanta have a problem in video games in opposition to ‘smaller’ sides, an accusation that has additionally been pointed at Cristian Chivu and Inter this season.
“It’s occurring to everybody,” Palladino replied. “Something can occur in a recreation, even the smaller sides could make the distinction. Now we have to have the appropriate mentality however we even have to offer credit score to our opponents.”
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Palladino was requested whether or not he thinks 16 factors might be sufficient to earn a spot within the Champions League spherical of 16 this season.
“The brand new format could be very compelling,” he stated. “Nevertheless, we don’t make calculations. We expect recreation by recreation. We need to make historical past. We’re going through a well-prepared and really robust group. They may have a couple of absences and some poor outcomes over the previous few weeks, however it might all be circled within the Champions League. Atalanta should put in a fantastic efficiency and the distinction might be within the particulars.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Ademola Lookman Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC in motion through the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Section MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photograph by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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Palladino additionally confirmed that Ademola Lookman has returned from AFCON responsibility forward of schedule as he needed to be concerned in opposition to Athletic Membership within the Champions League.
“On paper, he was purported to return tomorrow,” Palladino stated. “However, he needed to play on this recreation in any respect prices. He’s displaying a way of attachment to this group and I’m joyful about that.”