Europa League final live updates
It has been widely documented that both Bayern Munich and Liverpool are huge admirers of former player Xabi Alonso but, for now at least, the Spaniard is staying put. A decision that counterpart Gian Piero Gasperini has a lot of respect for.
"Of course he had an opportunity to go to a number of big clubs but he thought the club believed in him when he wasn’t that necessarily highly rated and it’s a good example of football," said the Atalanta manager, who also paid tribute to the players at Alonso's disposal.
"We need to have a great deal of respect for them," he added. "They are a team who are very worthy of the records they have achieved. The statistics speak for themselves,” he said.
"But in Italy and in Europe we have come up against a number of strong sides and we have acquired a lot of self-confidence and self-belief.
"We need to make sure we are solid in terms of our shape and organisation, but when it comes down to finals, you have to make sure to come out on top in the right moments."
