Atalanta qualify for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals. Here are the interviews with Jérémie Boga, Merih Demiral and Juan Musso.

Jérémie Boga

Jérémie Boga, you are the Man of the match of Bayer Leverkusen v Atalanta. It was your goal to calm everybody down a bit in the final minutes.

“Yes, I scored a very important goal today. I’m very happy on a personal level and for the team, too, as today we defended like a team. We fought hard all together. I think we deserved to qualify.”

You could feel a lot of tension in the bleachers. But I think, until you came on, you felt a lot of tension on the bench, too.

“Yes, we felt a lot of tension today. It was normal, as we nearly conceded a goal in the first half. I think then we defended well our result [the small advantage]. In the end, I think we gave it all. So, we deserved that goal.”

Jérémie, what did Gasperini tell you? “Get out there and score”?

“No, he told me to keep the ball, to dribble. It’s what I’m good at. So, I tried to do it. In the end, I scored and I’m happy about it and for the team.”

Can you hear the fans that came here, in Leverkusen, can you hear them celebrating? Those who are at home are celebrating, too.

“Yes. I heard them when we arrived here by coach. So, I’m very happy for them, that they went on this trip. This victory is for them. And for all the fans who watched the match at home.”

Merih Demiral

Merih Demiral, it’s true that the game was played at the BayArena. But there were many Merih Demiral’s fans with your jersey.

“Yes. It’s because there are many Turkish people in Germany. That’s why they’re happy to see me. Me, too. I’m very happy about it.”

And you’re happy that you’ve got through the round, aren’t you?

“Yes, for that as well, as this match was too important for us. We did very well. We gave our 100%, as always. So, we’re very happy.”

Have you heard the crowd?

“Yes, as always. Come on, Bergamaschi!”

Juan Musso

Juan Musso, you also contributed to Atalanta’s qualification to the quarterfinals. You made two decisive saves in this match against Bayer Leverkusen.

“Yes, everybody contributed. We had the right spirit, the spirit that was necessary to get through the round on this tough pitch, against strong opponents, as every team are in the Europa [League]. I’m proud of our team.”

You’re proud of the team, proud of the team’s performance, proud as you played as a team, as Freuler said.

“Yes, we had a really perfect mindset because it was very difficult to keep a clean sheet. We also wanted to score. We didn’t get a goal until the end. But we are in the quarter-finals and I think we did great in this match.”