Atalanta director Umberto Marino hailed ‘an historic evening’ in Bergamo, discussing the similarities between La Dea and Ajax.
The first ever Champions League tie in Bergamo kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“It’s a special evening, the Champions League is wonderful, but playing it in Bergamo is spectacular,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.
Atalanta director Umberto Marino hailed ‘an historic evening’ in Bergamo, discussing the similarities between La Dea and Ajax.
The first ever Champions League tie in Bergamo kicks off at 20.00 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“It’s a special evening, the Champions League is wonderful, but playing it in Bergamo is spectacular,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We are here with an aching heart because our fans cannot be present, especially remembering the last year for this city.”
Josip Ilicic is back in the starting XI, having overcome his mental health issues.
“We know how important Ilicic is for us and perhaps he will be the one to explain what he went through. It’s important for us to focus on Ajax and this is an historic evening for all of us.”
Atalanta and Ajax go head-to-head with two very attack-minded approaches, but also similar transfer strategies.
“Ajax have some similarities with Atalanta in their focus on the youth academy, the desire to forge new players. Ajax are a laboratory of constant innovation in football and has always been unique on the world stage.”