Gasperini vs Ancelotti: Italian-style 'grey-headed derby'

One of them is the current European Champion, a five-time Champions League winner, and arguably the best coach in the 21st century. The other is the current UEFA Europa League winner and the "architect" behind one of the greatest successes of a "minor club." The first is 65, the latter is a year older, and neither plans to step aside and make space for younger managers.

Carlo Ancelotti and Gian Piero Gasperini will face each other tonight (22.45) for the second time in the last four months, leading Real Madrid and Atalanta. In their previous meeting, in the mid-August UEFA Super Cup match, Carletto triumphed 2-0, although La Dea was an equal rival.

Considering the two tacticians' friendship, Ancelotti had only words of respect for Atalanta and their boss.

"We're great friends, we met at Juventus. He's doing a great job with this team. There are so many changes to the squad every year, but he always knows how to use the resources that he has. The work he is doing is spectacular. Atalanta have done a great job. They compete in the Italian league as well as in Europe. They have done an extraordinary job. Atalanta always stay at a high level and this says a lot about the structure of the club and the quality of the coach," said Ancelotti, as reported by TUTTO mercato WEB.

Similarly, Gasperini spoke highly of Real Madrid, leaving the role of favourite to the La Liga side.

"No team can call themselves favourites when they play against Real Madrid. We come to play in a great match, in our stadium, it's a gem for us. It's a fantastic event for the people of Bergamo. We're happy, but thinking that Atalanta are superior to Real Madrid is going a bit too far. We'll do our best to get a result, but we're cautious, the euphoria surrounding us is a bit exaggerated," he said.

Real Madrid prepare another bed in their hospital

Gasperini also reflected on the UEFA Super Cup clash, claiming that tonight's duel will be much different.

"We weren't in brilliant shape then because of the transfer market situation, but we were able to play a good game for a solid hour. Then we brought in other players and many have risen in levels. I think it will be a different game to the one in August," the Italian stated.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND 6

Tuesday

20:45: (3.70) Dinamo Zagreb (3.50) Celtic (2.00)

20:45: (6.75) Girona (4.40) Liverpool (1.48)

23:00: (2.55) Atalanta (3.60) Real Madrid (2.85)

23:00: (4.80) Brest (3.60) PSV (1.77)

23:00: (3.00) Club Brugge (3.60) Sporting (2.40)

23:00: (2.35) Leverkusen (3.45) Inter (3.20)

23:00: (2.65) RB Leipzig (3.40) Aston Villa (2.80)

23:00: (8.50) Salzburg (5.50) PSG (1.33)

23:00: (14.0) Shakhtar (8.00) Bayern (1.17)

Wednesday

20:45: (1.08) Atl.Madrid (13.0) Slovan B. (20.0)

20:45: (1.53) Lille (4.10) Sturm (6.50)

23:00: (1.35) Arsenal (5.50) Monaco (10.0)

23:00: (1.62) Benfica (4.10) Bologna (6.25)

23:00: (3.60) Dortmund (3.70) Barcelona (2.10)

23.00: (1.38) Feyenoord (4.80) Sparta Praha (8.50)

23:00: (3.80) Juventus (3.50) Man.City (2.10)

23:00: (1.28) Milan (6.20) Crvena Zvezda (12.0)

23:00: (1.35) Stuttgart (5.30) Young Boys (8.00)

***odds are subject to change***