‘Atalanta can reach Champions League remaining’

• Zico sees Atletico Madrid and Manchester City as main Champions League contenders – but in addition fancies Atalanta to go far.

Atalanta can proceed their spectacular run within the Champions League and go all the way in which to the ultimate, in keeping with Zico.

The Serie A facet have been a shock package deal this season, recovering after shedding their opening three group video games to reach the knockout levels of their debut marketing campaign in Europe’s main membership competitors.

They then noticed off Valencia 8-Four on mixture – profitable each the house and away legs within the last-16 tie – to proceed their development earlier than the Champions League was suspended because of the Corona Virus outbreak.

Their performances have actually impressed Zico, with the Brazil legend placing Atalanta alongside Atletico Madrid – who knocked out final yr’s winners Liverpool to reach the final eight – and Manchester City as potential candidates for glory.

“A month in the past, I’d have mentioned Liverpool have been the favourites to win the Champions League, however they dropped in kind too shortly and have been eradicated,” Zico mentioned in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Now Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are among the many candidates. When you beat the reigning champions, it means you can go all the way in which with further perception. I imagine Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are the most effective.

“Among the Italians, I’d say Atalanta. They play incredible soccer, have a really robust collective and I can see them reaching the ultimate.

“Beating Atalanta may be very troublesome, Manchester City realised that.”

4 – Josip #Ilicic is the third participant to attain 4 objectives vs Spanish opponent in a @ChampionsLeague single recreation after Dado Prso for Monaco vs Deportivo in 2003 & Robert Lewandowski for Dortmund vs Real Madrid in 2013. Poker@Atalanta_BC #Atalanta pic.twitter.com/GBw7LshxTc

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 10, 2020

Atalanta are on track to qualify for the Champions League once more via their league exploits, too. They sit fourth within the Serie A desk, three factors away from nearest rivals Roma with a recreation in hand.

However, it’s unclear when motion will resume. Italy has been one of many nations to endure probably the most through the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 15,000 recorded deaths from the virus.

Published 05 Apr 2020, 18:14 IST