Sead Kolasinac shows true feelings towards Arsenal reunion in Champions League

Sead Kolasinac knows he will be facing a side full of confidence when Atalanta host his former club Arsenal in the Champions League.

Kolasinac made 118 appearances over five seasons with the Gunners but he was a victim of boss Mikel Arteta’s squad trimming in 2022 and moved to Marseille.

The 31-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina defender joined Serie A side Atalanta last summer and helped them win the Europa League.

But Kolasinac still keeps an eye on his old club and is well aware they will be on a high following Sunday’s derby win at Tottenham.

“I’m happy to see my old team-mates again, it’s special,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

“It’s always difficult to play against English teams. They are physically strong. We watch a lot of the Premier League, and know it will be difficult but we have prepared well and we have a game plan to implement.”

“Arsenal won the north London derby and are full of confidence. They have great players, are solid in defence and very dangerous at set-pieces.”

“We are up against a team with an excellent shape, who can press high while remaining compact. They are a young side who know their strengths; and we know ours.”

Atalanta were the only team to beat Bayer Leverkusen last season when they triumphed 3-0 in Dublin to qualify for the Champions League.

But coach Gian Piero Gasperini has modest expectations in the revamped 36-team league format.

“The objective is to stay in contention,” he said. “It will be difficult to get into the top eight and even staying between ninth and 24th will require us to pick up points in every match.”

“We have a very tough obstacle to start with but it will be a good opportunity to gauge where we’re at.”