Atalanta director general Umberto Marino warns Europa League opponents Bayer Leverkusen ‘won’t come here to defend and it’s going to be a spectacular game.’
The first leg of the Round of 16 kicks off in Bergamo at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
“These European competitions allow us to grow as a club and as players, it’s great motivation for the lads and we can never doubt their efforts,” Marino told Sky Sport Italia.
“Gian Piero Gasperini has helped transform this squad into a real mainstay of Italian football.”
Luis Muriel returns to the starting XI this evening after injury, ending several weeks in which Atalanta didn’t have a single real striker available.
“He had some injury concerns and Duvan Zapata needs to take his time so he can make a full recovery. We don’t want to rush it this time, he will be used when he is ready.”
Bayer Leverkusen are fresh from a 1-1 Bundesliga draw with Bayern Munich and are not to be sniffed at.
“Bayer and West Ham were the most difficult teams we could’ve had in the draw. We know that we are facing a very attack-minded team who won’t come here to defend.
“It’s going to be spectacular and the fans are our 12th man, so we hope to make the most of that home advantage.”
“won’t come here to defend” and so let’s in 3. True to his word. #Zemanlandia