Percassi explains Atalanta revolution against Inter in Supercoppa | OneFootball

Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi explains the surprising changes to the starting XI for the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter. ‘We wanted to create a squad that was as competitive as possible.’

It kicks off at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh at 19.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Final Four format is confirmed, meaning this is a semi-final ahead of tomorrow’s Juventus-Milan, with the winners facing off for the trophy on Monday evening.

If they are level after 90 minutes, they go directly to a penalty shoot-out, so there will be no extra time.

Atalanta transformed for Supercoppa clash

Luca Percassi Vice Chairman of Atalanta (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini has surprised everyone by revamping the line-up, including Giorgio Scalvini in a more advanced midfield role, with Nicolò Zaniolo the False 9 supported by Marco Brescianini and Lazar Samardzic.

“The coach decided to give some space to different lads from the usual line-up, but they have all done well every time they’ve been called into action,” Atalanta CEO Percassi told Sport Mediaset.

“This is a match we really care about. We’re well aware that we are up against the best team in Italy, but we want to put in a strong performance, even if it’s going to be tough.”

Atalanta won the Europa League last season, but they are in the Supercoppa thanks to their status as runners-up in the Coppa Italia, having lost the Final to Juventus.

They are currently top of the Serie A table, even if Inter have a game in hand.

“One of the objectives this summer was to give the coach a squad that was as competitive as possible,” concluded Percassi.

“The journey we have made so far is very good, but we also know our dimension and must fight in every game to give our best.”