Sporting CP already lost to Atalanta in the Europa League group phase and coach Ruben Amorim admits the Italians are ‘the favourites. I am a fan of Gian Piero Gasperini.’
The first leg of this Round of 16 kicks off on Wednesday at 17.45 GMT.
They faced off in the group stage back in November, as La Dea won 2-1 in Lisbon and drew 1-1 in Bergamo to top the table and therefore by-pass the play-off stage.
“Atalanta are the kind of team who transform the game into a series of duels, the way they move and create provokes that in the opponent,” said Amorim in a press conference.
“There are many players who are always changing position and we don’t always have time to follow them. Their intensity level is different to what we are used to in Portugal, so we need to raise our game in that sense.
“We have already faced them twice this season and I think we will adapt better. It’s going to be difficult, but I feel we are better prepared this time around.”
Those encounters were more than enough to impress Amorim and he is not surprised by the defeats to Inter and Bologna.
“Everyone loses against Inter, but this is a great team. I am a fan of Gasperini’s work and I already was even when I was still a player. I can’t wait to meet a great coach like him again,” the Portuguese tactician told Sky Sport Italia.
Sporting have a few injury issues to deal with, as Pedro Goncalves will be in doubt to the end, with Goncalo Inacio and goalkeeper Antonio Adan also struggling.
Amorim has been linked with a potential move to the Premier League in the summer, specifically to Chelsea, and was asked about this in the press conference.
“The Portuguese League will never feel too small for me. The important thing is to feel happy, valued, and then we’ll see what happens in future.”