Rhino: Agencies – Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini said on Tuesday that his team’s goal is to be “in the top eight” in the Champions League league stage to ensure direct qualification to the round of 16, which will be confirmed if they win against Barcelona on Wednesday but stressed that “a draw would also be enough.” “I’m very happy,” Gasperini said at a press conference ahead of the match at the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium.

“I am very happy with our journey in this edition of the Champions League,” Gasperini said during the press conference on the eve of the match, which takes place at the Luis Companys Olympic Stadium at the end of the league stage. “After facing teams like Real Madrid and Arsenal, it’s very satisfying for us to get here. We know what we’ve had to go through to earn this position and I think we can get one or two more points”.

The 65-year-old believes that the “cherry on top” will be a positive result against the Catalan side in front of their own fans, to ensure that they officially qualify for the last eight.

“We’re ready to prove that Atalanta deserve to be here, but it won’t be easy,” he explained.