Gian Piero Gasperini says Roma provide ideal preparation for Atalanta’s next Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Atalanta debuted in the Champions League with a 4-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, but they salvaged a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A last time out and tomorrow face a Roma side coached by ex-Shakhtar boss Paulo Fonseca.
“It’ll be an important challenge for both teams,” Gasperini said at a Press conference.
Gian Piero Gasperini says Roma provide ideal preparation for Atalanta’s next Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Atalanta debuted in the Champions League with a 4-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, but they salvaged a 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A last time out and tomorrow face a Roma side coached by ex-Shakhtar boss Paulo Fonseca.
“It’ll be an important challenge for both teams,” Gasperini said at a Press conference.
“For us, it’ll also be a good test for Shakhtar. Indeed, Roma play a similar type of football to the Ukrainians.
“We want to give our best in every game, staying competitive in the League and cup. These will be balanced and difficult games, made more complicated by the fact that they’ll be played so close to each other.
“We’ll be without Muriel tomorrow as he has tonsillitis. We hope he can recover for Saturday, given [his absence] the only thing who can disrupt our ideas.
“There may be some changes, which will be geared towards us doing our best in this game. Kjaer’s settling in well, but he’s been out for a long time.
“He’s ready to play tomorrow or against Sassuolo but it’s not for certain, seeing as he’s not played much.
“Arana already has two appearances under his belt. Everyone will end up playing.
Apart from Zagreb, we’ve never gone under because of difficulties but only because of some incidents. The fact that the team are then able to recover is an extra quality.
“Wide areas are important for all teams. Hateboer and Gosens have played much more as we had Castagne out, but he’s now recovered.
“Malinovskyi’s integrated right away. He’s an important player for the national team, a leader.
“He has great character and he knew how to integrate right away in a positive way.”