Here are the interviews with some Nerazzurri protagonists of the pitch starting from Marten #deRoon, then moving on to captain Rafael #Toloi and ending with Matteo #Pessina. After winning the first leg, Atalanta claimed a clear win over Olympiacos in the second leg in Piraeus and got a qualification to the UEFA Europa League Round of 16.

Marten de Roon

Marten de Roon, great performance, great win.

“We needed it. Yes. I think the fans are also happy. We are very happy, especially with the performance, with our play. We lost a few times over the last weeks. We said to each other that we had to improve our game. It was important. When we improve our game, the results then arrive. We could see today that when we are strong and play like this, we can win against anyone.”

You won the first leg. You had that little marginal advantage. And you capitalized it by scoring three goals! Away, against a strong team.

“We played poorly at home. We scored through Djimmy [Djimsiti] from dead-ball situations. But we didn’t deliver a good performance. We proved to be Atalanta today. We proved everything we did over the last years. It was important. We truly deserved this win today. We can enjoy it now.”

Marten, we want to talk about football and we’ll talk about it. But you’re a great team, a solid group who stand up for each other.

“We never give up! Mola mia! [Don’t give up, in Bergamo dialect]. We have a strong bond with everyone on the team. It’s important to overcome difficult times. Now it’s time to get up and work. We must keep on like that. It was a good sign today.”

We heard Gasperini’s name being chanted as well as captain Toloi’s and yours before his: “But who’s him, who’s him, he’s Marten de Roon”, when you arrived.

“There are 300 fans here I think.”

600.

“600? Oh my God! It seems fewer… But 600… It’s incredible! They are our support. It couldn’t be the same without them.”

Rafael Toloi

Rafael Toloi, the Nerazzurri fans keep on chanting, they’re enjoying this victory. They’re doing the right thing. You’ve claimed a convincing win that allows you to get through the round. You won in the first leg, too. Today you’ve gone full circle.

“Yes. Sure. But the most important thing is, obviously, it was important to win, but the most important thing is to play good football, which is what we always did. Perhaps, we weren’t as good in the last matches as we were tonight. I think we played very well technically. We were able to struggle at the start of the first half because they [Olympiacos] have quality and tried to attack. We defended very well. That is Atalanta’s spirit. That is Atalanta. Atalanta play like this against anyone. The result may differ. But when we play like this, we are even stronger. This win gives us confidence. Now we must get back to the League. The League is also very important for us.”

[You did all this] In spite of the emergency, as Atalanta played without forwards. But you interchange one another in the squad, you play in any position the coach tells you to. And finally, the results come.

“Yes, we know each other well, it’s true. We have one natural forward. But we have many players who can attack. Today Malinovskyi was really great. Mario, too. He does the job, he bursts into the box. As I said, it’s an important win. Playing in this competition is very special to us. Until we have it in our hearts, it’s very important for Atalanta to play in international competitions, we’ll move forward, getting stronger and stronger every time because this is our mindset: to improve, to grow and to get stronger.”

You talked about Malinovskyi. He was even more motivated today, our Ruslan…

“Yes, it’s a tough situation. It’s difficult for us to comment on it. I hope he will be fine as well as his whole family. I wish him and everybody else all the best.”

Matteo Pessina

Matteo Pessina, it’s an amazing win. You deserved it. It was an amazing Atalanta side that entertained us.

“Yes, it’s true. We haven’t been able to play our game for a while. International matches give you an extra boost, an extra strength. But we shouldn’t search for an alibi. We must work hard in the League as well. The points there count. As to play in such matches next year, we must climb up the table. But this win can give us an extra push in the League, too.”

In the first half, you observed and measured yourselves against them. Then in the second half, you came on.

“Yes, we knew the match would go that way. They had to win by any means. So, we waited a bit longer. Then I think they changed their system and got tired, we made them tired and so spaces opened up. And we brought out our strong sides.”

In the first leg, Djimsiti bagged a brace. Mæhle put his foot here and then Malinovskyi bagged a brace.

“Yes, it’s impressive when Ruslan shoots. We have this opportunity. We must take advantage of it when we manage to give him space. We all think when he has his left foot free, he must shoot.”

You stood up for him. You all supported him. It wasn’t an ordinary day, we could see Atalanta’s solid squad.

“I think it’s the most important thing. If there’s not a united squad, there’s no team, there’s no play. It’s a cornerstone. We’re supporting him as well as all the others to whom it’s happening. We hope it will be resolved as soon as possible.”