Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has admitted his ‘pride’ at facing Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.
The Serie A outfit made it back-to-back appearances in the knockout rounds of the competition for the first time in the club’s history having progressed from the group during the first-half of the season.
They were then drawn against 13-time European champions Reallk in the last-16, with the first leg set to take place at the Gewiss Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Ahead of the tie, Gasperini highlighted his pride at pitting his wits against Los Blancos but is also eyeing a result.
He said: “We were able to do our business on the road and that allowed us to advance [from the group stages],”
“We want to arrive in Madrid and still be in the running. Tomorrow is nothing more than the first half.
“Real are the most successful team in the world, they have more income and fame. For Atalanta, it’s a pride to meet such a club, then comes the game. We have to think about the match.”
As it stands, it is Atalanta who are more fancied to earn victory in the first-leg. The Italians can be backed at a price of 11/8 with William Hill to win on Wednesday.
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