Alert and refreshing. Adrien Tameze could not have stuck better with the image that Atalanta Bergamo, the surprise team of this unprecedented European campaign, sends back. Arrived in Lombardy on the last day of the winter transfer window, the medium loaned by Nice, 26, already feels at home in this club which he hopes to see exercising his purchase option at the end of the financial year. Little by little, he is also starting to make a place for himself in this particular collective whose whole Europe praises the merits and the talent.
"Especially focus on Serie A and the club's objective of qualifying directly for the Champion's", the Franco-Cameroonian had not noted the draw for the Champions League in his agenda. Failing to have been answered by inheriting Bayern or Real, he is satisfied to play his first quarter-final of the European Cup against PSG, a team against which he intends to create the surprise. Interview.
How did you welcome the draw?
ADRIEN TAMEZE. To be honest, I didn't want to come across Paris. I have already played them in the league with Nice and, for my first quarter-final of the Champions League, I would have preferred to inherit Real or Bayern. History of discovering other teams, other players that I had never faced before. At this level of competition, there is no good or bad draw anyway. It's Paris, it's going to be hard. But I think we have our chances.
In Italy, is PSG considered a team to avoid?
If only by the quality of its players, Paris is considered one of the best teams in the competition in Italy, as everywhere in Europe. Even if it has not managed to reach the last four in recent years, this team is still composed of Mbappé, Neymar, Di Maria, only world class players renowned around the world.
Is that enough to make Paris the favorite of this quarter-final?
On arriving at Atalanta, I was impressed, really, by the level of the team, by its cohesion, its individualities, the way the players move, the tactics of Gasperini… On paper, Paris is perhaps to be stronger. But we have our chances. Saturday, we faced Juve, we were as good, even better than them especially in the first period (2-2). Today everyone says that it is the year of Paris because there are no round-trip confrontations. But it's the same for us, all hopes are allowed!
As a Frenchman, what relationship do you have with PSG?
I was born in Lille, so I supported Losc, like all the young people of the city. But I also supported PSG a little when I was little. At the time, I liked Ronaldinho, he was a player who made me dream. Afterwards, as a Frenchman, I always wanted Paris to stand out in the European Cup, it's good for us and the championship. I am not a fan of Paris, but I respect this team and its players.
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What memories do you keep of your confrontations in Ligue 1?
I remember that it was often very difficult (laughs) . We faced them around their eighth final against Real in the Champions League (in 2017-2018). We thought it was a bargain, that they would probably be 70%. They were, but that didn't stop them from winning 2-1 (laughs) . In Ligue 1, they are really above.
Will Atalanta, which will have 13 championship games in its legs, benefit from this PSG, which has only played two official games?
I think yes. We did a fairly thorough preparation before resuming the championships and we saw how much it helped us, especially at the end of the games where we were still able to push. Except for Juve, where I think we were a bit robbed, we have only won since the recovery ( note: 6 in 7 games ). Physical condition will be one of our strengths because the quarter will be played in the continuity of the championship ( Editor's note: which ends on August 2 ). Especially since we have played Juve, Inter as big teams who also impose a big pace. Physically, we will be in a better mood than Paris.
You only lost one game in 2020. In the end, wasn't Atalanta the team to avoid in this draw?
It's possible (laughs) ! Since I arrived at the end of January, we haven't lost a match ( note: 11 wins and 2 draws ). We have established ourselves in a positive dynamic that we want to maintain as long as possible to arrive at this quarter-final with maximum confidence. Offensively, we have certain assurances: we score a lot, with each match… I think Atalanta is not a good draw for Paris. Nor even for anyone for that matter.
Are they aware of it?
I don't know, what's going on in the minds of Parisians. I hope they will take us lightly, it will allow us to surprise them a little. What is certain is that it will be a beautiful duel and that, if they are half there, we will have a good shot to play.
