Friday, April 30, 2021 at 13:37• Dominic Mostert

After an absence of just under three months, Hans Hateboer suddenly played ninety minutes for Atalanta on Sunday. The right back was sidelined with an ankle injury and made his return against Bologna (5-0 win). It does Hateboer good to be back on the field, he says in an interview with the regional newspaper L’Eco di Bergamo.

“I didn’t expect to be in the starting line-up against Bologna and play ninety minutes. My foot feels good and that’s the most important thing,” said the 27-year-old fullback. It was difficult to stand still completely. Sometimes I didn’t feel like going to the stadium, but I always did. “Hateboer missed eighteen games this season due to his ankle injury. He didn’t listen to surgery, however.” One of my goals is to work with my national team. to play at the European Championship. That’s one of the reasons I didn’t want surgery. Frank de Boer has told me that he hopes I will recover. I need playtime for that. “

Atalanta is eleven points behind leader Internazionale and seems to be able to forget the national title. However, the Bergamo club can win the Coppa Italia: the final against Juventus awaits on Wednesday 19 May. “As a football player you dream of winning a prize from the first moment. I was allowed to win the cup with FC Groningen and now I hope to do that in Italy. When you win a trophy, you go into the history books. Ten times to qualify for the Champions League, but it is not the same as winning a prize. The lost final of two years ago (0-2 against Lazio, ed.) still hurts. We want to win. “

With a victory, Atalanta is at least assured of the Europa League group stage, but participation in the Champions League is also glaring. The club is second in Serie A, although the lead on number five AC Milan is only two points. “It would be great to play in the Champions League three years in a row. The Europa League is not the same, “said Hateboer, who is finally asked about his own future.” I never said I want to leave, but I also don’t want to play in Serie A all my life. At some point I still want to play in England, Spain or Germany “, he admits.