The CEO of Atalanta, Luca Percassispoke to Sky Sports less than half an hour before the match at the Gewiss Stadium against Olympique Marseille, valid for the semi-final return of the Europa League, with the Nerazzurri aiming to access the final in Dublin on 22 May: “It will be a great match and it is fantastic to play what we are playing in Bergamo. It will be a special evening.”
A week where you play everything. What sensations do you feel?
“On these occasions, even just approaching the stadium from Zingonia, the emotions you feel are unique. We play in our stadium and for us people from Bergamo it is a pride. The most beautiful thing is seeing the emotions of the people and our fans.”
How much does excitement weigh compared to fear?
“The emotions we experience are so strong that the tiredness goes away quickly. It’s fantastic to play something every three days, it means we get into everything. Each match has a specific weight of its own.”
The official lineups of Atalanta-Olympique Marseille (kick-off at 9pm).
Atalanta (3-4-3): Musso; De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, Koopmeiners, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Lookman.
Available: Carnesecchi, Rossi, Pasalic, Touré, Bakker, Adopo, Hateboer, Scalvini, Bonfanti, Palestra, Comi, Miranchuk.
Trainer: Gian Piero Gasperini.
Marseille (3-5-2): Pau Lopez; Mbemba, Gigot, Balerdi; Clauss, Harit, Veretout, Kondogbia, Merlin; Ndiaye, Aubameyang.
Available: Ngapandouetnbu, Blanco, Ounahi, Moumbagna, Meite, Correa, Sarr, Soglo, Luis Henrique, Lafont, Daou, Murillo.
Trainer: Jean Luis Gasset.