VENICE, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Manager of Atalanta Gian Piero Gasperini during the Serie A match between Venezia and Atalanta at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 20, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
VENICE, ITALY - OCTOBER 20: Manager of Atalanta Gian Piero Gasperini during the Serie A match between Venezia and Atalanta at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on October 20, 2024 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Gian Piero Gasperini feels ‘pride and satisfaction’ at facing Real Madrid in the Champions League, as the Atalanta coach reveals what he ‘always envied’ about Carlo Ancelotti.
It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Bayer Leverkusen-Inter on the Liveblog.
A great deal has changed since their meeting for the UEFA Super Cup in August, when Real Madrid emerged 2-0 winners thanks to Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappé goals.
La Dea have won their last nine Serie A games to go top of the table and are unbeaten in the Champions League.
Meanwhile, the Merengues lost three of their five European fixtures and have recouped some lost ground in LaLiga, sitting two points behind Barcelona with a game in hand.
Gasperini proud of Atalanta progress
Atalanta's head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Napoli's haead coach Carlo Ancelotti (r) during the Italian Serie A soccer match Atalanta vs Napoli at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo, Italy, 03 December 2018. EPA-EFE/PAOLO MAGNI
Atalanta’s head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Napoli’s haead coach Carlo Ancelotti (r) during the Italian Serie A soccer match Atalanta vs Napoli at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia in Bergamo, Italy, 03 December 2018. EPA-EFE/PAOLO MAGNI
“There are many sensations, above all pride and satisfaction to be in this scenario. The city is happy to see this match with Real Madrid in Bergamo, while we are concentrated, as we know the quality of our opponents and want to make a good impression,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“It’s only natural there is enthusiasm, it is right that the fans do that, while we have to focus on the task at hand in a difficult match.”
Ancelotti made several surprising picks, moving Aurelien Tchaouameni into defence, giving Dani Ceballos only his fifth start of the season and picking Brahim Diaz.
“Real Madrid have always had champions on the field, we expected nothing less. They are missing a few players in defence, which caused them some problems earlier in the season, but we want to measure ourselves up against the best.”
Gasperini, on the other hand, picks the same starting XI that beat Milan 2-1 on Friday to go top of the Serie A table.
“We are well-drilled, we have a consolidated side, but we also have to view the game over 90 minutes, keep in mind that substitutions can be decisive over the course of the match.”
Ancelotti has been under fire recently with rumours he could be fired, so will Gasperini give his colleague a reassuring cuddle?
“Carlo is a sphinx! I always admired and envied his ability to keep perfectly calm on the outside. There are things that no doubt irritate him, but his way of pulling a mask over it sets the example for all of us.”
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