Koopmeiners praised by Italian media: 'He never stops'

Teun Koopmeiners received considerable acclaim for his recent Europa League performance against Liverpool, which saw Atalanta advance smoothly.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera gave him a rating of 7, celebrating his growth as a player. The paper highlighted his tireless effort, particularly noting his duel with Argentine world champion Alexis Mac Allister. Koopmeiners, playing as an attacking midfielder, not only matched Mac Allister but also persistently chased him throughout the game. His efforts in the second half nearly paid off with a low shot that was ultimately saved by the goalkeeper, yet he remained relentless until the final whistle.

Gazzetta dello Sport offered a slightly more reserved praise with a score of 6.5, but acknowledged Koopmeiners' crucial role in neutralizing Mac Allister. The newspaper also appreciated his effective pressure on Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, underlining his strategic importance to the team.

Marten de Roon, another Dutch midfielder for Atalanta, also received high praise and was even regarded as the standout player of the match by the Italian press, garnering higher ratings than Koopmeiners. Meanwhile, teammates Mitchel Bakker and Hans Hateboer did not participate in the game, remaining on the bench for its duration.

Atalanta's victory is historically significant for the club, marking only the second time it has reached the semi-finals of a major European tournament. The first was during the 1987/88 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, a notable achievement since Atalanta was competing in Serie B at the time. They were ultimately defeated in the semi-finals by KV Mechelen.

Looking forward, Atalanta is set to face Olympique Marseille in the semi-finals of the Europa League, promising another exciting chapter in their European campaign. This progression underscores Atalanta's growing stature on the European stage, fueled by strong performances from players like Koopmeiners and de Roon.