Atalanta captain Papu Gomez doesn’t believe Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence will have a big impact against Juventus - “they have such a deep squad”.

The Portuguese superstar is being rested for today’s trip to Bergamo, with Douglas Costa replacing him in the starting XI.

“Douglas Costa will play instead, he’s fast and strong and has different characteristics,” Gomez told Sky ahead of the match.

Bryan Cristante “can’t wait” to play at the Olimpico on Monday night, but warned Roma to be wary of his former Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez.

It kicks off on Monday at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT), click here for a match preview.

“I can’t wait to experience playing in front of the Roma fans at the Stadio Olimpico,” the midfielder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Papu Gomez insists Atalanta proved “we are a superior team to Copenhagen, even on a pitch that makes playing football almost impossible.”

The first leg of the Europa League play-off ended 0-0 despite a dominant Orobici performance, with 12 shots on goal, 10 of them on target.

Daniele De Rossi of Roma and Atalanta’s Papu Gomez weren’t fined for rebelling against the captain’s armband rule, so it could be scrapped.

The Lega Serie A caused controversy when announcing that from the 2018-19 season, only one standardised armband with ‘Capitano’ on it would be used.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini hails Papu Gomez as Atalanta’s answer to Cristiano Ronaldo, and looks ahead to the Copenhagen tie in the Europa League.

The Orobici returned to Serie A action tonight, thrashing Frosinone 4-0 with two goals and two assists from Gomez.

After the match, it was put to the Coach by Sky that the captain is his side’s Ronaldo.

“Yes, we could say that,” Gasperini conceded.

Captain Alejandro Gomez believes Atalanta have “a great squad” and celebrates his 50th Serie A goal.

The Argentinian international was in sensational form this evening, scoring two and assisting two as his side thrashed newly-promoted Frosinone 4-0. Click here for a match report.

“We missed our stadium, in Europe we have to play in Reggio Emilia,” Gomez explained to Sky after the final whistle.

Frosinone were given a rude awakening on their return to Serie A, as Papu Gomez tore them to shreds in a 4-0 defeat to Atalanta.

The newly-promoted side couldn’t get near the Bergamaschi, and were lucky to escape with only a four goal defeat, thanks to goals from Mario Pasalic, Hans Hateboer, and two for Gomez himself, who also set up two.

Click here for a full match report.

Atalanta star Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez expressed his dismay at a new Serie A ruling introducing standardised captain’s armbands.

The Argentina international had enjoyed showing off a different armband for each game, designed along with his wife, to reflect various issues of interest.

They covered anything from Earth Day to Halloween, nostalgia for the original Playstation and 1990s icons to women’s rights and Peppa Pig.

Argentina international Emiliano Rigoni is “very happy to be here” after flying in to complete his transfer from Zenit to Atalanta.

The deal is done for a €1m loan with €15m option to buy at the end of the season.

“I am very happy to be here and I want to do well for Atalanta in Europe as well as in Serie A,” the 25-year-old winger told Sky Sport Italia as he arrived at the airport in Milan.

Papu Gomez scored two and set up two, as Atalanta thrashed FK Sarajevo 8-0 to reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League.

The Serie A side had dominated the first leg, but somehow let a two goal lead slip to leave their European campaign in the balance.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s side went into the match knowing they had to win, or score at least three away goals.

The Orobici got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after just four minutes.