Ivan Rakitic, technical director of Hajduk Split, says he’s an ‘Atalanta fan’ because of his compatriot Mario Pasalic: ‘Anything is possible’ in opposition to Bayern Munich.
Atalanta have been paired with Bayern Munich within the Champions League Round of 16.
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The draw befell in Nyon, Switzerland, at the moment. See how it unfolded on the live blog.
Rakitic: Pasalic is one of my favorite gamers
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his staff’s third purpose in the course of the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC on the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Ex-Barcelona star Rakitic, technical director of Hajduk Split, took cost of at the moment’s Champions League draw and spoke to Sky Sport Italia afterwards.
The former Croatia worldwide was requested his ideas on Atalanta, the one Serie A consultant within the Champions League Round of 16 this season.
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“I’m an Atalanta fan because of Mario Pasalic, one of my favourite players for a few years,” the ex-midfielder replied (by way of TMW).
Rakitic gained the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, scoring a purpose in a 3-1 victory in opposition to Juventus within the Final.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Mario Pasalic of Atalanta celebrates scoring his staff’s third purpose with teammates and followers in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Atalanta BC and Borussia Dortmund at Stadio di Bergamo on February 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I support Atalanta. They showed against Dortmund that if you believe and work hard, you can reach certain results,” Rakitic continued.
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“Now anything can happen in two games. They must push, believe and work hard. Then they have Mario Pasalic, so anything is possible.”
a RIJEKA, CROATIA – OCTOBER 11: Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic of Croatia in dialogue throughout a Croatia coaching session forward of the UEFA Nations League match in opposition to England at Stadion HNK Rijeka on October 11, 2018 in Rijeka, Croatia. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Atalanta eradicated Borussia Dortmund from the knockout play-off, securing a 4-3 mixture win.
La Dea accomplished a surprising comeback within the second-leg tie performed in Bergamo on Wednesday, beating the Bundesliga facet 4-1 after shedding the opening tie in Germany 2-0.