Atalanta might not be the same force from the start of the decade, but Marquinhos still feels it could be a "complicated" contest against the Italian outfit at the start of the Champions League campaign.
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‘We’ll give our all’
More than five years have passed since the last time that the Brazilian played against Atalanta. From what he has seen in the preparation for this meeting, they still have a distinct style of football.
“It's an Atalanta team that has changed a little since the last time I played against them. In the recent years there is a new coach, new players who have arrived but who always have a concept of playing.”
A former Roma player, the defender declared his respect for the tactical detail of sides from Serie A.
“Italian teams are always complicated teams to play, teams that always come prepared to play big matches like this. We'll see what happens but we'll give our all regardless who will be on the pitch.”
Adapting to the unexpected
He accepts that this work can only help the group to a point. When players perform on the pitch, they must expect the unexpected. Thankfully, the fluidity and unity of the Parisians have reached a level that has allowed them to overcome almost all of their opponents during the last eight months.
“Sometimes, there are things that happen that we weren't ready for. And that's the value and the and the greatness of this Paris team because we knew how to adapt, to understand our opponents well.”
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‘This match was very difficult’
The Brazilian also looked back on his experience of playing against Atalanta in the Champions League quarter-final in 2020. The Italian outfit were arguably at their peak under Gian Piero Gasperini as a free flowing unit, but their extreme man marking style stood out most in this contest.
“It was a team that is very who was very physical and very tough in the duels and I think that until today they still kept this strength, physicality in the duels. That's why we're kind of waiting for in this match. We know a bit how Atalanta plays, how they played the first matches with the new coach.”
Ivan Juric is a 'disciple' of Gasperini, who was infamously insistent on the more extreme elements of his approach. Against whoever they play, the team have distinct principles that they will not sacrifice.
“But as I said before, things can happen, the coach can change things that we hadn't warned about and it's up to us to adapt as quickly as possible. But I think they're not going to change too much.”
Marquinhos equalised at the death in the knockout fixture before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting won the game for the Parisians. Hopefully, without as much drama, the captain wants the win once more.
“But matches, each match has its own story. This match was very difficult. We suffered until the end. We managed to score two incredible goals. It was really a very beautiful emotion for us and I hope at the end of the match, we had this feeling of joy and of being happy to win against a good Atalanta.”
