Atalanta director Umberto Marino insists the show must go on despite missing numerous players against Inter, while he shrugs off Newcastle United interest in Robin Gosens.

It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

Serie A LIVE: Atalanta vs. Inter

“It is an important game for the table, certainly relevant for us to stay in the Champions League places. It would be good to maintain this position by the end of the weekend,” Marino told DAZN.

La Dea are missing numerous players, including Josip Ilicic and Ruslan Malinovskyi with COVID-19.

“Aside from those who are absent, what we are seeing tonight is that we can play football. There were nine or 10 missing in the Coppa Italia midweek, it’s more like seven tonight.

“We should quote Plato here and realise it’s not enough to follow rules, we have to also show responsibility. We all need to step up and do our part, because football is an important element of life in Italy and it has to keep going.”

There have been numerous reports over the last few days that Newcastle United are ready to make a huge bid for currently-injured winger Robin Gosens, but Marino wiped the speculation away.

“I read stories of Newcastle interest in a different Atalanta player every day, it’s like Bingo to see who comes up next.

“Robin has been out of action for four months, we miss him as a player and also a person, as he is one of the leaders of this squad and we hope he returns as soon as possible.”

Curiously, Atalanta have a much better record on their travels than at the Gewiss Stadium so far this season.

“Perhaps the attitude of opponents has changed, they are more anxious and defensive coming to our home and try to take a different approach to lock down the spaces.

“What we do feel is damaging is the lack of fans, especially in a game like this against Inter, which means so much to the supporters in this city. It’s a very different sport.”

When asked if this was a Scudetto showdown with Inter, Atalanta director Marino took the usual club approach.

“We reached 41 points, so are technically safe from relegation. I don’t want to make any other predictions! We want to keep out feet on the ground, remain in the running for European qualification, whether it’s the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League. That is our Scudetto, anything else seems highly improbable.”

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