Atalanta President Antonio Percassi believes his side can make a ‘good impression’ after drawing Valencia in the last 16 of the Champions League. “They’re a strong team, but more at our level.”
La Dea avoided some of the bigger teams in today’s draw, and now have a realistic prospect of reaching the quarter-final in their debut season.
Atalanta President Antonio Percassi believes his side can make a ‘good impression’ after drawing Valencia in the last 16 of the Champions League. “They’re a strong team, but more at our level.”
La Dea avoided some of the bigger teams in today’s draw, and now have a realistic prospect of reaching the quarter-final in their debut season.
“Valencia are a strong team, but perhaps a little less than the other big teams in the draw, they’re more at our level, so we need to pay maximum attention,” said Percassi on the club's YouTube channel.
“We’re happy and I think we can make a good impression.”
Percassi spoke of the pride of reaching this far in the competition in their first ever Champions League adventure.
“It’s a dream for us, having our name amongst the best, especially for the fans and for the whole Atalanta community, which is getting bigger and bigger, and this make us really proud.”
The Atalanta patron states that just being in today’s draw was a Christmas present for everyone, considering they started with three straight defeats.
“It’s a miracle, if we want to be honest. It was unimaginable for everyone. But I also ask for common sense, not to exaggerate things.
“We always have to keep in mind that we are a team from the provinces with their limits and values.
“We have to keep in mind that our academy is very important and fundamental for us, since our U-19s are doing extraordinary things in Europe also.
“We still have a lot to do.”
Atalanta's U-19 side topped their group in the UEFA Youth League, winning four of their six games.