Mayor of Bergamo Giorgio Gori hit back at Juventus suggestions Atalanta don’t deserve to be in the Champions League. “I prefer them to the elite of the rich and famous. It’s called SPORT.”
Juve President Andrea Agnelli made the comments during the FT Business of Football Summit in London as part of his push for a European Super League.
Mayor of Bergamo Giorgio Gori hit back at Juventus suggestions Atalanta don’t deserve to be in the Champions League. “I prefer them to the elite of the rich and famous. It’s called SPORT.”
Juve President Andrea Agnelli made the comments during the FT Business of Football Summit in London as part of his push for a European Super League.
“I have great respect for everything that Atalanta are doing, but without international history and thanks to just one great season, they had direct access into the primary European club competition. Is that right or not?” said Agnelli.
Atalanta have so far remained silent, but Mayor of Bergamo Gori stepped up to defend his town’s premier club.
“I respect Andrea Agnelli, but really do not agree with this,” wrote the Mayor on Twitter.
“Compared to the elite of the rich and famous, I far prefer the result achieved on the pitch and credit given to those who, even if they are ‘only’ representing a provincial city, earned their place in Europe with sweat and imagination.
“It’s called SPORT.”
Atalanta finished third in Serie A last season and reached the Coppa Italia Final.
In their debut Champions League campaign, La Dea got through the group phase and have won the first leg of their Round of 16 tie with Valencia by a 4-1 scoreline.