
Atalanta director Luca Percassi expressed his pride and satisfaction over the completion of the Gewiss Stadium, just in time to host Arsenal in the Champions League. The match kicks off at 20:00 UK time (19:00 GMT) at the newly renovated stadium in Bergamo.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Atalanta, as they return to the Champions League after winning their first-ever European trophy in May, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Europa League final.
The Gewiss Stadium, which underwent extensive reconstruction, was finally completed last week. The first match played at the fully revamped venue was a thrilling 3-2 victory against Fiorentina.
This renovation has been a long-term project, and Percassi is delighted to see it come to fruition, expressing pride in the hard work that went into the stadium’s transformation.
Luca Percassi has a unique connection with Arsenal. Before his career as a director, he was a footballer and made his debut for Chelsea in a memorable match against Arsenal. Reflecting on that experience, he recalls it as a fantastic opportunity, crediting Gianluca Vialli, Chelsea’s player-manager at the time, for giving him the chance. It was a special night that he remembers fondly.
Looking ahead to the Champions League match against Arsenal, Percassi acknowledges the challenges ahead. Under the competition’s new format, the top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while the bottom eight are eliminated. The teams in the middle will compete in play-offs for the remaining spots. Percassi hopes that Atalanta can finish in that middle section, though he is aware of the intense competition in the Champions League.
Facing Arsenal, he recognizes the difficulty of the task, describing them as one of the best teams in the world, led by a young coach with innovative ideas. Percassi anticipates a tough but exciting match, fitting for this elite level of competition.
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