Atalanta has dedicated the success in the Champions League to the people of Bergamo, who suffer a lot from the corona virus. The team of coach Gian Piero Gasperini eliminated Valencia in the eighth finals on Tuesday-evening by winning the return with 3-4.
After China, Italy is currently the country with the most infections. People in northern Italy in particular, such as in the Bergamo region, have a hard time due to the COVID-19 virus and the measures that the government has taken to prevent further spread of the virus.
“We know that many people have followed us from home and cannot go outside to celebrate,” Gasperini said after the goal-winning victory in an empty Mestalla in Spain.
“We have received many messages and are happy that we were able to give them a moment of happiness. In June we will all be celebrating the party.”
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“This victory is for you”
The 3-4 victory was more than enough for Atalanta to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in history, as the first leg was already won 4-1. Josip Ilicic was the big man in the return with four hits.
Just like trainer Gasperini, after the final whistle the players extensively discussed the situation in Italy. “Bergamo, the victory in this difficult time is yours”, midfielder Marten de Roon wrote on Twitter.
Atalanta director Luca Percassi believes that the success of his club can provide relief “We know that football can be of value in such difficult times. We can only thank the players and staff for giving us two hours of luck.”
View the program and the results in the Champions League
Follow the latest developments regarding the virus in our live blog.
The coronavirus in short
- The virus spreads mainly through cough and sneeze drops that hang in the air for a short time. Anyone who shows no symptoms is hardly a risk of infection.
- An infected person infects two to three others on average. This number can decrease with good precautions.
- The vast majority of patients have mild (flu-like) symptoms.
- Almost all deaths concern older or already sick people. You can protect these people with precautionary measures.
- Read here what the most important precautions are.
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