Raffaele Palladino announces a'major absence against Genoa

On Sunday evening, Atalanta will host Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa at the New Balance Arena. The Bergamaschi are still looking for the right continuity to climb the standings, the Grifone has reared its head again after the change in the bench and wants to make up for the ugly knockout in the Coppa Italia right against the Dea (4-0 for the orobici).

During the usual press conference on the eve of the match, Raffaele Palladino announced Mario Pasalic’s absence. The Croatian midfielder recently lost his father and has returned to Croatia to be close to his family: “On Friday at the end of training together with the team and the management we brought our closeness to Mario who is in Croatia – said Palladino -He is going through a delicate moment and we as Atalanta are staying close to him. Mario will not be there tomorrow to be by the side of his family: we are waiting for him”.

The Orobici helmsman then took stock of the situation: “Sunday’s match, for me, is the most important match since I have been here: we need continuity against a team that is healthy and did very well against Inter. I want to see an’Atalanta with the same winning mentality, readjusting whenever there will be difficulties. Personally it will be a special match for me (Palladino wore the Rossoblù jersey from 2008 to 2011, ed), I have wonderful memories with the fans and together we have achieved great things. I remember Palacio, Gasperini, Milito and many others: thanks to them I managed to get to the national team, I felt in top form”.

“The championship is still long. The society wants to aim high: we have to climb an important mountain. All together, including the fans, we have to continue with this enthusiasm in order to succeed in winning and climb up the standings. L’Atalanta is a family, and to reach ambitious goals we always need to be compact” concluded Palladino.