Scamacca: ‘Historic’ Atalanta feat, ‘we felt we could turn it around’
Atalanta star Gianluca Scamacca says La Dea ‘felt we could turn it around’ as their comeback against Borussia Dortmund was ‘unpredictable for those from the outside.’
Atalanta striker Scamacca spoke to Sky Sport Italia following an extraordinary 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, which sent La Dea to the Round of 16 with a 4-3 aggregate win.
Scamacca scored the opening goal after just five minutes, and Lazar Samardzic netted the winner from the spot at minute 98.
Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund – Scamacca’s post-match comments
“We had a strong start, but we felt we could turn it around,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.
“We believed until the end, and those who were introduced were just as good as the starters because they made the difference. This is a historic feat, one of the biggest ones in Atlanta’s history.
“We did something extraordinary. We had to make up for the poor performance in the first leg,” continued the Italian striker.
“Now the good part comes. Tomorrow there’s a day off, and then we’ll think, as always, game by game.”
The draw for the Champions League Round of 16 will take place on Friday, February 27, and Atalanta will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
“Perhaps it was unpredictable for those from the outside, but we know our worth,” Scamacca added.
“We know that, when we play our style of football together, we can get great satisfaction.”
Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino has transformed the team, winning 15 of 23 games since his appointment at the start of November.
“The coach has given us a lot. He has given us great energy and an important push,” said Scamacca.
“We have rediscovered ourselves and understood we were on the right track.
“Our fans were crucial. As Palladino had said, 23,000 pushed us. They are always our 12th man, home and away, and we thank them for this.”
Atalanta return to the pitch on Sunday, facing Sassuolo away in Serie A Round 27.
The Nerazzurri sit 7th in the standings, five points below a Champions League spot.