Percassi: ‘Atalanta ambition is to not have any regrets’ | OneFootball

Atalanta director Luca Percassi discusses their ‘ambition’ for this season, as a victory against Roma would put them clear in second place.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

La Dea have won their last seven Serie A matches and therefore have the opportunity to surge clear in second place this evening with a victory.

This is because Lazio lost to Parma, while the Fiorentina-Inter game was abandoned following the medical emergency for Edoardo Bove, so they are the only side who can keep up with leaders Napoli.

“The Atalanta family wish Bove a speedy recovery and hope to see him again on the pitch soon,” Percassi told DAZN.

Atalanta aiming high this season

epa11706157 Ademola Lookman (3-R) of Atalanta scores the opening goal against goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel (2-L) of Stuttgart during the UEFA Champions League match between VfB Stuttgart and Atalanta BC, in Stuttgart, Germany, 06 November 2024. EPA-EFE/RONALD WITTEK

“Our ambition is to give our best in every match and not have any regrets. We know they are all difficult, but we will play our football.

“Consistency is fundamental in the growth process of a team when it wants to achieve certain results. We are well aware that there are sides out there better equipped, it is a complicated league.”

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is in the stands beginning his two-match touchline ban for dissent, so will also be watching from afar next week in the showdown with Milan.

Atalanta also flattened Young Boys 6-1 in Switzerland for the Champions League on Tuesday, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring two and providing three assists, while Ederson returns from suspension.

Mateo Retegui was brought in over the summer just 48 hours after the knee injury to Gianluca Scamacca, but has been a revelation and is Capocannoniere in Serie A with 12 goals so far this season.

“Fortunately, Mateo arrived very quickly. We had appreciated him as an opponent, but also when he was still playing in Argentina,” revealed Percassi.

“His eye for goal had impressed us and it always requires a bit of luck to close these deals so fast. We hope Scamacca can return as soon as possible, but we have in any case brought in a player with the battling spirit of Atalanta.”