Atalanta midfielder Marten De Roon insists that the whole team ‘must react’ after a 1-0 loss against Roma, but admits that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is affecting Ruslan Malinovskyi and Aleksej Miranchuk: ‘It’s difficult to take a break.’
La Dea will be looking to bounce back in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 against the Bundesliga side tomorrow after losing 1-0 in Rome on Saturday.
“Leverkusen are a strong team, they know how to play football, it will be a nice game. Hopefully, we can snatch a good result tomorrow,” De Roon said at a press conference.
“I don’t have to redeem myself from the red against Roma, but the whole team wants to react,” he added.
“We want to put in the same performances as against Sampdoria and Olympiacos. I don’t think about myself.
“I want to see a team performance. We have to put all our best in the field. We hope for a result that can lead us to qualification”.
The war in Ukraine continues to concern Atalanta players with the Ukraine Ruslan Malinovskyi and the Russian Aleksej Miranchuk in the team.
“I can’t talk for them, but of course, there is suffering,” said De Roon.
“Ruslan’s family is there [in Ukraine] and news is always tough, it’s difficult to take a break in the dressing room. We try to help them, but it’s hard.
“It’s a very complicated moment. Hopefully, Malinovskyi can perform like in Greece.”
The Ukraine international scored a brace against Olympiacos two weeks ago, just one day after Russia’s invasion.