Atalanta arrive at the Etihad Stadium this evening for our third Champions League group stage game, with the Italian’s boss, Gian Piero Gasperini, revealing a past encounter with Guardiola which he is particularly grateful for.
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Elsewhere, Ajax defender Edson Alvaraz has expressed his admiration for City’s style of play and earmarked us as a team he feels he would enjoy playing in.
From the players
Sports Witness: Defender admits Manchester City would be the next step
Edson Alvarez: “I love the attacking football that Manchester City plays, that is similar to that of Ajax. Playing football there once could be the next step, but first I want a lot of great things at Ajax.”
From the managers
Sky Sports: Pep Guardiola’s gesture praised by Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini
Gasperini: “He made a really nice gesture towards me and I can’t forget that. This makes this occasion even more poignant.
“When I was sacked by Inter he called me and invited me to go to Barcelona to see them. It was a very nice gesture from a human point of view at a very difficult moment for me.”
