Atalanta director Umberto Marino maintains the massive rotation against Sampdoria after their Champions League exploits means ‘it’s a squad we can rely on.’
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Gian Piero Gasperini changed seven of the starting XI that beat Midtjylland 4-0 midweek.
Atalanta director Umberto Marino maintains the massive rotation against Sampdoria after their Champions League exploits means ‘it’s a squad we can rely on.’
It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
Gian Piero Gasperini changed seven of the starting XI that beat Midtjylland 4-0 midweek.
“When you play every three days in major competitions and have a squad you can rely on, this kind of rotation becomes normal,” director Marino told Sky Sport Italia.
“We must not forget where we come from or the limitations we have compared to many of the clubs we are facing on the pitch. Our desire is to improve both on and off the field.
“We prepared for this by constructing a squad that was competitive in every area and gave the coach the options he needed.”
The alternatives include Matteo Pessina, who impressed so much during his loan spell at Verona last term.
“It is a great opportunity both for Pessina and for Atalanta to have him here. He did very well at Verona last season, he is recovering from injury and is learning a great deal in training. We believe he can make a real contribution to Atalanta this season.”