‘That I’ll tell you later’ – Roberto De Zerbi on anti-Atalanta tattoo ahead of Champions League clash | OneFootball

For Roberto De Zerbi, this week’s Champions League clash between Olympique de Marseille and Atalanta is more than just another European night, it’s personal. The Italian coach grew up in Brescia, just 50 kilometres east of Bergamo, where the rivalry with Atalanta is deeply ingrained in local culture.

“Playing against an Italian side is always emotional – I experienced that with Brighton against Roma,” De Zerbi explained at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon transcribed by L’Équipe. “But Atalanta is something else. I was born in Brescia, a hundred metres from the stadium, and I’ve supported them since I was a kid. For us, Atalanta is like a fiery derby. We thought about it from Monday to Sunday.”Atalanta’s recent rise has only deepened the wound. The Bergamaschi have long eclipsed Brescia — politically, socially, and economically – culminating in their Europa League triumph in 2024. Meanwhile, Brescia collapsed financially and lost their professional status earlier this year, reforming as Union Brescia in Serie C.

That sentiment runs through his veins, and across his skin. The 45-year-old has Brescia’s blue scapular tattooed on his back, and, according to legend, another depicting Atalanta’s badge crossed out by a ‘no entry’ sign. When asked about it, De Zerbi grinned: “That, I’ll tell you later.”GFFN | George Boxall