Percassi: ‘We need the best Atalanta’ in Coppa Italia semi final
Luca Percassi warns Atalanta need ‘the best version of ourselves’ to beat Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-final. ‘We are in three competitions and cannot afford to think we’ve achieved anything.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
The second leg will be in Bergamo on April 21 or 22, with the winner going on to face either Inter or Como in the Final.
There was a hiccup at the weekend, as the Champions League hangover from the 4-1 comeback win over Borussia Dortmund saw them beaten 2-1 by on-form Sassuolo.
Atalanta competing in three tournaments
“Last Wednesday was a unique match in our history, but Serie A immediately showed us how delicate every game is, so tonight Atalanta will have to be the best version of ourselves to seek a good result. We also realise this is only the first half and the tie will be decided in the second leg,” CEO Percassi told Sport Mediaset.
Atalanta have been transformed since Palladino took over in mid-November, as they are the only Italian team left in the Champions League, are pushing for a top four Serie A finish, and here seeking their fourth Coppa Italia Final in eight years.
Did Percassi and the club expect such a complete turnaround in such a short space of time?
“Let’s say that after a change with the same coach for nine years, it was natural there might be difficulties. I can only thank Ivan Juric, who also had problems like missing players such as Scamacca, Scalvini, Ederson and more.
“There are moments when you have to make decisions that you wouldn’t want to make, Palladino and his staff brought a new wave of enthusiasm, the players responded very well to his approach.
“We are very proud to be here today, but also know that we are in the thick of three competitions where we cannot afford to think we’ve achieved anything. We’re happy to be here, but we know there is a long road ahead of us.”
Ederson is still out of action along with Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, but the hope is to have at least some of them back for the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich on Tuesday.