The team from the small Italian city of Bergamo face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the first quarter-final of the European tournament in Lisbon.

"As I have said, I will make pizza for 1,000 people if we win the Champions League," Atalanta midfielder Marten de Roon said on Tuesday. "But if we lose, we can try again next year."

De Roon reiterated a promise he had made a few months ago after being asked by a fan about what he would do if his team won the European title.

The Dutch player said he would throw a party in Bergamo's central square and everyone would be invited.

Bergamo was one of the hardest-hit places by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, with more than 6,000 people dying with COVID-19 in the province.

"I think it's a very important match for everyone - for the players, for the city, for the province, for Italy," De Roon said.

Atalanta has had a remarkable run in their first appearance in the Champions League.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini says his team has little to lose against PSG and their star-studded squad.

"I have already said this, we are never going to lose," Gasperini said. "We are going to win or to learn. We are here possibly to learn but we are going to try to win the competition."

He said it will take the entire team to help defend well against Brazilian forward Neymar.

"Neymar is one of the best players in the world, so this is a problem for all teams who face him," he said. "I think the best way to defend against him is to play well ourselves, with everyone focused. We'll try to do it as a team with our organisation."

Gasperini said he is expecting Kylian Mbappe to play from the start after recovering from injury.

"We will see what happens," he said. "Of course, Mbappe is another amazing player who can add a lot to his team. We are getting ready as he is going to play."

The Champions League is finishing its season with a last-eight mini-tournament played in two Lisbon stadiums.

The semi-finals will be played next week and the final on August 23.

Australian Associated Press