Bayer Leverkusen chief Rudi Voller expects a huge challenge against Europa League opponents Atalanta.

Bayer go to Atalanta this week in the Europa League round of 16, the first leg is in Bergamo on Thursday, with the decider in Germany next week.

“Atalanta are a top team, it's no coincidence that they played the Champions League in the last two seasons. The club and the coach have made exceptional work. It's difficult to play against them," Völler told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I saw the match against Roma. The way I see it is: they played and Roma scored. Atalanta are a tough team to face, but we are the same, it's all open, 50-50.

“They don't seem in a crisis, I watched them also against Sampdoria, they were aggressive as usual. It's always nice to see Atalanta playing. It will take two great games to go on. We have done well, we want to get to the Champions League.

“Atalanta and Leverkusen are similar. We play offensive football, we score a lot of goals, but we also concede some. We have an offensive mentality, like Gasperini, people are having fun watching us, even if from the stands sometimes I get chills, but it's nice."