Palladino: ‘Atalanta must focus, Serie A different to Champions League’ | OneFootball

Raffaele Palladino tries to keep Atalanta’s feet on the ground after their Champions League whirlwind, as they visit on form Sassuolo. ‘It’s a different tournament entirely.’

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta interacts with teammate Isak Hien during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

La Dea had an extraordinary few days, recovering from a goal down to beat Napoli 2-1 in Serie A and close on the top four, then fighting back from a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League.

It allowed them to set up a Round of 16 showdown with Bayern Munich, with the Bergamo boys the only remaining Italian representatives in that competition.

Atalanta flying high in all competitions

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Players of Atalanta celebrates victory following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We have to focus on recovering the physical and mental energy, as the Champions League saps you of both those elements,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.

“The mentality is the most important thing, detaching totally from the Champions League, and focusing on a different tournament entirely. We are up against a We have to throw ourselves straight back into Serie A.

“We are against a Sassuolo side that won four of its last five games, we studied them carefully, and must pay attention to all the details.”

On top of that, Atalanta are also preparing for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Lazio.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal with teammates after scoring from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

There are some issues to deal with, as along with long-term absentees Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, Atalanta are also missing Ederson with muscular issues, and Honest Ahanor has flu symptoms.

“Ahanor had a fever yesterday and was not well this morning either, while we are evaluating Ederson one day at a time. We had been hoping to get him back for this game, but we couldn’t manage it, so we hope he’ll be back as soon as possible,” explained Palladino.

Sead Kolasinac starts despite ending the midweek match with cramp, while Nikola Krstovic is on the bench after getting stitches on the head injury he sustained winning that last-gasp penalty, converted by Lazar Samardzic.

BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta scores his team’s fourth goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Sama did well to make sure he was ready when called upon, as he always worked hard even when not getting much space. He took his opportunity, and has had more consistency since De Ketelaere’s injury. This is another chance to prove himself.”

Sassuolo: Muric; Coulibaly, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Thorstvedt, Matic, Koné; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurienté

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca