Palladino: ‘Atalanta must focus, Serie A different to Champions League’
Raffaele Palladino tries to preserve Atalanta’s toes on the bottom after their Champions League whirlwind, as they go to on type Sassuolo. ‘It’s a different match completely.’
It kicks off on the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta interacts with teammate Isak Hien in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
La Dea had a unprecedented few days, recovering from a purpose down to beat Napoli 2-1 in Serie A and shut on the highest 4, then combating again from a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League.
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It allowed them to arrange a Round of 16 showdown with Bayern Munich, with the Bergamo boys the one remaining Italian representatives in that competitors.
Atalanta flying excessive in all competitions
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Players of Atalanta celebrates victory following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We have to focus on recovering the physical and mental energy, as the Champions League knows you of both those elements,” Palladino told DAZN Italy.
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“The mentality is the most important thing, detaching totally from the Champions League, and focusing on a different tournament entirely. We are up against a We have to throw ourselves straight back into Serie A.
“We are against a Sassuolo side that won four of its last five games, we studied them carefully, and must pay attention to all the details.”
On top of that, Atalanta are also preparing for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Lazio.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates after scoring from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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There are some issues to deal with, as along with long-term absentees Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, Atalanta are also missing Ederson with muscular issues, and Honest Ahanor has flu symptoms.
“Ahanor had a fever yesterday and was not nicely this morning both, whereas we’re evaluating Ederson someday at a time. We had been hoping to get him again for this sport, however we could not handle it, so we hope he’ll be again as quickly as potential,” explained Palladino.
Sead Kolasinac starts despite ending the midweek match with cramp, while Nikola Krstovic is on the bench after getting stitches on the head injury he sustained winning that last-gasp penalty, converted by Lazar Samardzic.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta scores his team’s fourth goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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“Sama did nicely to be sure that he was prepared when referred to as upon, as he at all times labored arduous even when not getting a lot area. He took his alternative, and has had extra consistency since De Ketelaere’s harm. This is one other likelihood to show himself.”
