It’s been official from 4 PM on Monday 22 June: Mario Pašalić has been signed permanently by Atalanta. In the following interview all the satisfaction of the Croatian midfielder who in Bergamo found the ideal environment to establish himself.

Mario Pašalić, how happy are you from one to ten?

I’m extremely happy. When I arrived here, after the first training and matches, I saw that Atalanta and Bergamo are something special. I saw and felt that immediately. I have to thank the club for their trust in me, as in these unusual and difficult times for everyone, it’s not easy to invest, so I thank them. I had already seen that this team were strong and had a very good coach.
Other than that, I have seen that the club and the fans are very family-like, they enter everyone’s heart, that’s why I’m really happy to be here right now. It’s the first time I’ve stayed in one place for over a year, the club have trusted me, so I have to repay them. I hope that now, all together, the whole team with the coach, we can make people happy and put a smile on the Atalantini’s faces.

There is so much need to smile in Bergamo.

Yes, this is an obligation for us, we must give everyone a smile, satisfy them, since it’s been a terrible time, especially here in Bergamo. We will take to the pitch and give everything we have, as we’ll fight not only for us, but for all the city as well. I hope we can still do well.

I’ll let you choose: do you prefer the first one you scored against Manchester City, which also meant Atalanta’s first historic point in the Champions League or the one you scored against Shakhtar Donetsk which meant an equally historic qualification for the round of 16?

I’ve luckily scored some important goals, I don’t know, I can’t choose. They all were important, not only for me but for the whole team, that’s the most important thing. I hope I can score many more of them.
We have many matches to play now, every three-four days. It’ll be tough, for everyone. Everyone will start over, we are fourth and must defend this place. If possible, we must look forward.
Then when it’s over, we’ll think about the Champions League, now that we know how the finals will be, perhaps it’s an advantage, but first we must focus on the league.

Mario, are you happy?

I’m really, really happy.