Manchester United signing Amad Diallo paid touching tribute to his former Atalanta teammate Willy Ta Bi, who died at the age of 21.

They had won the Primavera youth team title together in 2019 in Bergamo.

He was diagnosed with cancer of the liver and returned home to the Ivory Coast in recent months.

Diallo, who left Atalanta in January for Manchester United, paid tribute to his former teammate on social media.

Atalanta have named their squad for the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, missing Hans Hateboer.

The first leg in the Round of 16 kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT.

The only real injury case that Gian Piero Gasperini is dealing with is Hateboer, who will be out for several weeks with an ankle issue that could require surgery.

Joakim Maehle had been in doubt, but started Sunday’s 4-2 Serie A victory against Napoli.

Zinedine Zidane praises ‘very attacking side’ Atalanta and coach Gian Piero Gasperini, but Real Madrid ‘wouldn’t settle for a draw’ in the Champions League.

The first leg in the Round of 16 kicks off on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT in Bergamo.

“We know the game that awaits us tomorrow and we know where we’re coming from. We worked well, are concentrated, and need to get a good result,” said the Merengues coach in his press conference.

Toni Kroos admits ‘it’s going to be a complicated game’ for Real Madrid against Atalanta in the Champions League. ‘We’re going to have to defend too.’

The first leg in the Round of 16 kicks off in Bergamo on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT.

“We have to do what we’ve done lately, which is push on despite missing several players. Those who are here must give their all,” said the midfielder in his press conference.

Luis Muriel is in the form of his life and confident Atalanta can shock Real Madrid in the Champions League. ‘If we give our all and believe in ourselves, we can beat anyone.’

The first leg of the Round of 16 kicks off on Wednesday at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

“Playing against Real Madrid is always prestigious and I am enjoying this moment,” smiled the Colombia international in his press conference.

The Disciplinary Commission has suspended Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini and Benevento tactician Filippo Inzaghi for one match.

The sporting judge revealed the sanctions after Serie A Week 23 toady and the two coaches have been disqualified for the next round of fixtures.

Gasperini was also fined €15,000, whilst 11 players have been suspended for the upcoming round.

Benevento defender Kamil Glik has been suspended for one match, whilst Bologna must cope without Aaron Hickey.

After a long battle against cancer, Atalanta youngster Willy Ta Bi passed away at the age of 21 this morning.

The former Primavera champion from Ivory Coast died of a tumour that had attacked the liver.

In recent months, the young midfielder had returned to his homeland.

“President Antonio Precassi and the whole Atalanta family are deeply saddened by the untimely death of Willy Braciano Ta Bi,” the club wrote in a statement.

“A cruel destiny interrupted a dream that began with the Nerazzurri shirt in January 2019 too soon.

Atalanta forward Luis Muriel said he ‘always tries to help the team’ and insisted ‘nothing changes’ if he starts or enters off the bench.

Muriel entered with 11 minutes left against Ajax in the group stage, and the 29-year-old ended up scoring the winner to help Atalanta through to the last 16.

Ahead of the first leg against Real Madrid in the knockout stages, Muriel said his approach is the same if he’s in the line-up or one of the substitutes.

Gian Piero Gasperini said Atalanta are proud to play against Real Madrid in the Champions League. ‘We want to make a good impression’.

Ahead of the first leg against Real Madrid at the Gewiss Stadium, the Orobici coach hopes to arrive in Madrid with a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition.

“We were able to do our business on the road and that allowed us to advance [from the group stages],” Gasperini said at a press conference.

Atalanta attacker Matteo Pessina said he’s ‘inspired’ by Toni Kroos ahead of the ‘dream’ game against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Pessina has been one of the protagonists at the Gewiss Stadium this term and this week he’s expected to start when Los Blancos arrive for the first leg in the last 16.

“Playing against Real Madrid is perhaps the greatest dream from my childhood,” Pessina told La Repubblica.