Atalanta: No difference between Bayern and Arsenal, proud to represent Italy
Atalanta are ‘proud’ to represent Italy in the Champions League Round of 16, but saw little difference between Bayern Munich and Arsenal, said Umberto Marino.
Atalanta General Manager Marino spoke to Sky Sport Italia on Friday, following the Champions League Round of 16 draw.
La Dea’s possible rivals were Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Atalanta, and they have eventually been paired against the Bavarians.
Marino comments on UCL draw
“Arsenal and Bayern are both strong; they finished first and second in the league phase, and they are destined to fight until the end for the title,” Marino said.
“We’ll try to make life difficult for Bayern. We must be Atalanta as we’ve always been, facing them with courage, determination and the fans’ support.”
Atalanta sit seventh in the Serie A table but have transformed under Raffaele Palladino, who was appointed in place of Ivan Juric in November. What makes the new Dea coach so special?
“Surely the enthusiasm with which wich he approaches training sessions and games day by day,” Marino replied.
“He has a great desire to work and give his all for his team. This is surely a quality he’s passing on to the team and the whole environment.”
Bayern Munich are the Bundesliga leaders and one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but Atalanta have already shocked some German sides in recent years, especially Bayer Leverkusen in the 2024 Europa League Final and Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League knockout play-off this season.
“It’s a tough game, and we’ll need an extraordinary performance, but we play with Atalanta’s enthusiasm, which helped us reach the Champions League Round of 16, a unique objective,” noted Marino.
“We’ll play it with the support of our fans, at home and away, because we need them. Then we’ll see what happens on the pitch.
“Right now, we are lucky to be involved in three competitions. We can do well in Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.
“We are Atalanta; for us, the work culture is fundamental, so we continue working and we’ll accept what happens on the pitch,” he continued.
In recent years, Atalanta have collected positive results against top sides in Europe, but have fallen short against smaller teams on paper.
“This is the magic of football. I can’t really reply,” Marino concluded.
“Bayern are a top-level club, and we’ll face them with great pride to represent Italy in the Champions League, giving our best and 120% of our energy.”