Colombia international Luis Muriel has challenged compatriot Duvan Zapata ahead of the return to action with Atalanta: “I will try to take his place.”

La Dea have outscored every side in the Italian top tier this season and are 30 goals away from reaching 100 with 13 games remaining.

Muriel has bagged 13 of the Orobici’s 70 goals so far, despite having struggled to establish himself in the first XI under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Colombia international Luis Muriel has challenged compatriot Duvan Zapata ahead of the return to action with Atalanta: “I will try to take his place.”

La Dea have outscored every side in the Italian top tier this season and are 30 goals away from reaching 100 with 13 games remaining.

Muriel has bagged 13 of the Orobici’s 70 goals so far, despite having struggled to establish himself in the first XI under Gian Piero Gasperini.

“The team create 10 to 15 goalscoring opportunities every game, at least six or seven are clear chances,” Muriel told ESPN Colombia. “For a striker, that’s nice.

“There are so many chances to score and this had never happened to me in other teams previously.

“We are called on to do a great job, because the team goes under pressure when we lose the ball.”

The two Colombia teammates Muriel and Zapata fight for the last place in the trident with Josip Ilicic and Alejandro Gomez, and the former Fiorentina man has claimed he will try to take his compatriots place in the side.

“I’m the one who has played less so far. But even if I don’t start, I have at least a couple of chances to score in every game and so far I have collected an important number, with 14 [in total] this season.

“It’s difficult to find space, because of the competition. I always try to give my best and hope to find more minutes.

“Now, I will try to see if it’s possible to take the place from Zapata.”

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