Palladino: ‘Atalanta mentality revitalised, no squad rotation’
Raffaele Palladino explains how he worked on revitalising the Atalanta ‘mentality’ and his surprising tweaks for today’s trip to Lazio. ‘I don’t believe in squad rotation.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.
This is an early opportunity to see these teams face off, as they will meet again in the Coppa Italia semi-final, starting with the first leg in the Capital on March 4.
It is also a battle between seventh and eighth in the Serie A table, and with Como stumbling to a defeat at home to Fiorentina earlier today, it’s an opportunity for Atalanta to go sixth.
Palladino has transformed Atalanta
“When I first arrived, the players were upset and we had to work on the mental aspect, revitalising their enthusiasm and finding that self-belief they had perhaps lost along the way,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.
“The rest comes as a consequence of that, as this is a team with a lot of quality, the tactical principles were already clear and similar to the ones I had worked on in the past, so we fit together very quickly.
“We’ve achieved nothing yet, this is the most delicate spell of the season, and we need to face it with the right mentality.”
Charles De Ketelaere had knee surgery for a meniscus tear and is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
Gianluca Scamacca is not fully fit either today, though Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor return from suspension, but it is Nicola Zalewski who starts rather than Giacomo Raspadori.
Is this to rest the Italian ahead of the Champions League play-off with Borussia Dortmund?
“I never rotate the squad, I don’t believe in it, I just focus on picking the best available team for that match. I am fortunate to have 20 players available who are all strong and anyone who steps in is able to give their best,” replied Palladino.
“I feel we have the best XI for the characteristics of this game, the players know what they need to do and we will aim to win, though it won’t be easy against a Lazio side in good shape.”