Pierluigi Gollini dedicated Atalanta’s Champions League success to the fans in the city. “Everyone thought we were dead and buried after Manchester.”
This was their first ever Champions League campaign and the minnows from Bergamo lost the opening three games, but still fought back for a 3-0 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk and qualify for the last 16.
Pierluigi Gollini dedicated Atalanta’s Champions League success to the fans in the city. “Everyone thought we were dead and buried after Manchester.”
This was their first ever Champions League campaign and the minnows from Bergamo lost the opening three games, but still fought back for a 3-0 win away to Shakhtar Donetsk and qualify for the last 16.
“It was an incredible match, we are so happy and very tired!” the goalkeeper told Sky Sport Italia.
“This kind of joy is difficult to describe. It was all looking so bad after our 5-1 defeat in Manchester, everyone thought we were dead and buried, but we told ourselves to just reach this final match still in the running.
“We’ve done something spectacular, a magical evening. It was a right mess in the first three matches, we were hammered by Manchester City, but still realised we could compete at this level. We didn’t lose our believe, as individuals or a collective.”
The squad is expected back in Bergamo from Ukraine at 2.30am local time and there are already groups of fans preparing to meet them at the airport.
“This qualification means the world for the city of Bergamo, it’s unique, it’s historic. The bond the team has with the fans and the city is truly rare in football and this qualification is a reward for them too. We are so proud and happy.”