Atalanta director Umberto Marino insists they will face Bayer Leverkusen with ‘courage and our typical approach’ in the Europa League Round of 16.
It kicks off at 17.45 GMT, you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Europa and Conference Liveblog: Bayer Leverkusen-Atalanta and Roma-Vitesse
The first leg ended 3-2 for La Dea in Bergamo, but the away goals rule has been abolished, so if Atalanta lose by a one-goal margin, the tie goes to extra time.
“It’s bound to be a great game, as both teams will give their all, Atalanta and Bayer always want to play football and certainly not change their philosophy of football,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.
“Reaching the quarter-finals really would be writing another incredible page in the history of Atalanta over the last few years.
“We will go for it with courage, aggression and our typical approach to games. We will try, because these 1,300 fans and the city of Bergamo really deserve it.”
Duvan Zapata is still out of action, but Gian Piero Gasperini said he might be back in April.
“He is on the right track, we are optimistic, but don’t want to rush things. When Duvan is 100 per cent fit, he will return to the pitch.”
Ruslan Malinovskyi starts again and it remains a very tense time for the Ukraine international, who dedicated his goal in the first leg to ‘all the victims of the war in Ukraine,’ including the Russian soldiers sent to fight.
“Atalanta are a big family, we are embracing Ruslan and his family. He is going through a very, very difficult moment, as most of his family is in Ukraine.
“We hope he can find the mental energy to focus on the pitch for 90 minutes and at least for that period leave aside this awful moment.”
Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said last week in an emotional press conference that when Serbia was involved in the war, he only felt relief during training and matches.
🗣️ “Ovunque ti seguirem” 🎶
🇮🇹 Bergamo ➡️ Leverkusen 🇩🇪
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— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) March 17, 2022