Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi admits the Europa League Final against Bayer Leverkusen is a ‘magical night’ for the club, but they must ‘never lose sight of our identity.’
It kicks off at the Dublin Arena at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Luca’s father Antonio, the President of the club and a former player, had tears in his eyes as he led the fan chants in the section where the circa 8,000 Atalanta fans were gathered.
“This is extraordinary, unique, we are experiencing a magical night for Atalanta and feeling all these emotions to the maximum with our fans. Dublin gave us a splendid welcome for a truly special night,” Luca Percassi told Sky Sport Italia.
“These are special occasions where you try not to get the tension rise too high, but it’s inevitable. We all know what is up for grabs, but also that we fully deserved this opportunity with victories in some truly important stadiums.
“My Dad never got involved in choosing the players, he just asked us to sign good ones. The great fortune of Atalanta is having a President that allows all the directors to work with great support and the objective of building a team as competitive as possible. He largely let us get on with it.”
Extraordinary Atalanta journey
La Dea are having a remarkable campaign, having already secured Champions League qualification, lost the Coppa Italia Final to Juventus a week ago and here playing their first ever UEFA Final.
That pales in comparison to Bayer Leverkusen, who won their maiden Bundesliga, face Kaiserslautern in the German Cup Final on Saturday and are on a European club record 51-match unbeaten run.
“Taking the Cup back to Bergamo would be incredible, but we are fully aware that we’re against a side that is unbeaten throughout the season. We have our own characteristics and identity, may the best team win.”
How much can Atalanta keep raising the bar after this campaign?
“We know where we come from and who we are. What we are experiencing, especially this year, is thanks to hard work and dedication from the club, coach and players. We are happy with what we are doing, but never lose sight of the reality that we represent.
“That is the only way to remain humble, look to the future and remember that the owners invest in the club, stadium and youth academy, always with great passion and trying to make as few mistakes as possible.”
La Dea are already in the Champions League for next season and could even finish as high as third in Serie A, so will they keep their top players?
“These competitions allow you to grow, we never held back for big investments. Guaranteeing the Champions League for next season is a big opportunity and will allow us to make even more investments, but again we must never lose sight of our identity.”