Friday, November 22, 2024 - 04:54:30 AM

Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as Atalanta is a professional soccer club located in Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy. The club is part of Serie A, having gained the status of Serie B in 2010-11.

Atalanta was established on 1907 Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi students and was dubbed La Dea, the Nerazzurri and the Orobici. The team wears blue and black vertically stripe tops as well as black shorts as well as black socks. The club plays games at home in the stadium with a capacity of 21,747 seats. Gewiss Stadium. The Gewiss Stadium is located in Italy, Atalanta is sometimes known as Regina delle provinciali (queen of provincial clubs) in recognition of its status as among the most consistent of Italian clubs that aren't based in a capital city of the region and has played 61 games matches in Serie A, 28 seasons in Serie B, and only one season in Serie C. Atalanta has an ongoing rivalry with the Brescia, a club that is close to Brescia.

It is famous due to its youth academy that has produced a number of prominent talents who have been in the top leagues in Europe.

The club was a winner of the Coppa Italia trophy in 1963 and advanced to the semi-finals in the Cup Winners Cup in 1988 when it was playing with Serie B. This remains the greatest performance of a club that is not in the first division in an important UEFA contest (together alongside Cardiff City). Atalanta was also a part of five seasons in the UEFA Europa League (previously known as the UEFA Cup), reaching the quarterfinals in 1991 and in 2022. Atalanta was also a part of the UEFA Champions League three times with a quarter-final appearance in 2020.

1. History

The story of Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio covers over 110 years of Italian professional football club Atalanta B.C., commonly called Atalanta (or their nicknames La Dea, the Orobici or the Nerazzurri) starting from the time of its formation in 1907 until today. Atalanta is located within Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy and has played games at home in the Gewiss Stadium since 1928. At present, it is a part of Serie A, the top level in the Italian football league system.

Atalanta was established around 1907, by Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi students in Bergamo and was named for atlanta, the Greek mythological athlete with similar name. The club joined with another club that was also located within Bergamo in 1920. It adopted its identity (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio) and colors (black and blue) following the merger. Atalanta played for the majority of the 1920s and 1930s playing in the second division, and reached Serie A for the first time in 1937. The club then enjoyed almost three years of Serie A (1940-1969), just missing out in 1958-1959. In the years following the club went through more shifts between the two top divisions, even spending a period (1981-82) as a third-tier club. However, the club it returned to the top divisions and was able to participate in several UEFA competitions--including a European Cup Winners' Trophy and two UEFA Cups between 1988 and 1990, under the guidance of coach Emiliano Mondonico. In the 2000s and 1990s, Atalanta again moved several times between Serie A and Serie B. The club was last promoted in the year 2011, and was playing in Serie A for eleven consecutive seasons after that. From 2017 to 2021 under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini the club had its highest ever league finish and also participated at the UEFA Champions League.

The 2022-23 football period, Atalanta has spent a total of 61 seasons in Serie A, 28 seasons in Serie B (winning it five times) as well as one season at Serie C. Atalanta has been in the top level among any Italian club that is not located in a city that is not a regional capital. because of its consistent performance and Serie B titles and performances in international tournaments, the club is often called"the Regina delle provinciali ("queen of the provincial clubs"). But Atalanta hasn't ever won the Scudetto or the Scudetto, and has only been awarded one trophy major that was it was the Coppa Italia trophy in 1963. The club made it to four Coppa Italia finals since then but was defeated in all of them and most recently in 2021. In international competitions Atalanta's most impressive results were in the semi-finals of 1987-88's European Cup Winners Cup (while the club was in Serie B), the quarter-finals of the 1990-91 UEFA Cup, the quarter-finals of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League, and the quarter-finals for the 2021-22 UEFA Europa League.

1.1. Founding and establishment in Serie A (1907–1959)

Atalanta was established on the 17th of October, 1907, by students from the Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi and was named in honor of the female athlete with the same name in Greek mythology. While it was founded immediately the football industry but it was not the first football club located within Bergamo: Football Club Bergamo was established by Swiss immigrants in 1904 before being absorbed into an additional club Bergamasca at the time of 1911. It was not recognized by the Italian Football Federation did not recognize Atalanta until 1914, and then in 1919, it announced that it would allow only just one team from Bergamo to play in the most prestigious national league (then named"the Prima Categoria). Because Atalanta along with Bergamasca were rivals and could not reach an agreement for admittance to Prima Categoria was determined by an a game of playoffs; Atalanta won this match with a score of 2-0. The two teams merged was completed in 1920, creating A new organization Atalanta Bergamasca di Ginnastica e Scherma 1907 (shortened to Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio) and setting its blue and black (nerazzurri) colors.

Atalanta was a part of Atalanta played in the Seconda Divisione, the second stage, from the beginning of the 1920s. In the 1927-28 season the club was able to win its group, and then beat Pistoiese during the finals to secure the promotion as well as the first league of second division success. The club officially opened its new venue within Borgo Santa Caterina in Borgo Santa Caterina neighborhood in 1928 and was then allowed to join Serie B, the second level of the newly restructured Italian league in 1929. After nearly a decade in Serie B, Atalanta achieved its first advancement up to Serie A in 1937 under coach Ottavio Barbieri, however, it was dropped at the conclusion year. The club was relegated back to Serie A in 1940 as champions from Serie B.

In during the 1930s and 1940s Atalanta maintained its dominance in the highest league, even though National league play was cut off from 1943 to 1945 because of World War II. Atalanta finished fifth in 1947-1948 Serie A under coach Ivo Fiorentini. This was the best league finish to date until the year. The club was regarded for being the provincee terribile (terrible provincial side) during this time period as because of its victories against popular metropolitan teams, such as that of Grande Torino, who won Serie A five times during the 1940s. Atalanta was able to finish in the mid-table during most of the 1950s, and was in Serie A until 1958, which was the year it was delegated due to allegations against match fixers. The accusations were proven to be untrue a year later, and the club was relegated back in Serie A by winning its second Serie B title.

1.2. Coppa Italia victory, decline, and reemergence in Europe (1959–1994)

Atalanta was the winner of at the Coppa Italia title in 1963 beating Torino by 3-1 at the end of the game due to a hat-trick scored by the striker, Angelo Domenghini. It was the team's first (and until now, the sole) significant trophy. In the early 1960s the club was first to compete at European competitions, such as those in 1961 and 1962, the Mitropa Cup, the Coppa dell'Amicizia, as well as the Coppa delle the Alpi. The club was a champion of the domestic cup, and the club was able to participate in the Europe Cup Winners' Cup. It was the club's initial important UEFA competition, but was defeated in the first round by Portuguese Club Sporting CP in the first round. The club also made several performances in the internationally-based (though they were not UEFA) cups in the 1960s, but was dropped in 1969 following an entire decade in the top league.

In the 1970s Atalanta went through several changes in between Serie A and Serie B and was in the second division for four seasons in a row between 1973 between 1973 and 1977. Although they were within Serie B at the time the club produced a number of youngsters who went on to clubs that were historically larger and even won in 1982 the FIFA World Cup with Italy. A string of difficult seasons were followed by Atalanta slide in Serie B in 1980 and Serie C1 in 1981, at the time that for it's first time the club did not play in the top two levels. This was a setback which regenerated the club, and a series of changes in management were ensuing.

Under the new direction, Atalanta comfortably won Group A of Serie C1 in 1982, then returning for Serie B the next season before moving moved to Serie A in 1984, which it would stay until 1987. Atalanta made it to their third Coppa Italia semifinal in the year 1987 but it lost 4-1 to Napoli over the course of two legs. Since Napoli also was the winner of Serie A that season and thus could have qualified to play in this year's European Cup, Atalanta qualified for its second European Cup Winners' Cup. This was a pivotal year for the club. Emiliano Mondonico was named the coach, and the club won promotion after just one season in Serie B. The Cup Winners' Cup Atalanta had to forfeit its first game with Welsh team Merthyr Tydfil, but won the second game and then progressed to the semi-finals. However, it was defeated 4-2 against Belgian team K.V. Mechelen which would later be the winner of the tournament. By winning, Atalanta had the highest finish in an UEFA competition for clubs that were not in their nation's premier league. After finishing sixth during the 1998-89 Serie A, Atalanta qualified for its first UEFA Cup, though was eliminated by Russian club Spartak Moscow in the first round. Atalanta ended up finishing 7th in 1989-1990 Serie A and reached the quarterfinals of the 1990-91 UEFA Cup, losing to its local rival, and ultimately winning Internazionale.

1.3. Fluctuating performances (1994–2016)

After several mid-table positions and an almost missed UEFA cup qualifying in 1993 The club was then relegated in 1994, after an ambitious plan was unsuccessful, but they would be able to be reinstated in Serie A in 1995. In the 1995-96 season Atalanta made it to finals in the Coppa Italia final again, but lost to Fiorentina. In the 1996-97 season the striker Filippo Inzaghi scored 24 goals in the league, becoming the first (and until now the one and only) Atalanta player to be designated a capocannoniere (Serie A's top scorers). The club then sold a number of key players, leading it to struggle before returning back to Serie B in 1998; it would stay there until 2000, after which coach Giovanni Vavassori revived the team by recruiting youngsters from the academy in an effective promotion campaign.

In the early 2000s, Atalanta experienced more divisional shifts: it was delegated in 2002-03 (despite finishing seventh only two years before) as well as 2004-05. However, it made it up to Serie A after only one season in Serie B both times, winning the 2005-06 season. After a turbulent 2009-10 season, in which the club's coach changed three times and was again delegated. Following this , the entrepreneur Antonio Percassi became the club's new president. And Stefano Colantuono returned as coach. The club was crowned Serie B in 2011 and was then immediately relegated back to Serie A. Despite this success, club captain Cristiano Doni was named among the suspects in a match-fixing scandal (also known as Calcioscommesse); Doni was handed a three-and-a-half-year ban from football and the club was docked six points in the 2011-12 league table and two points in the 2012-13 league table. Through the mid- and early-2010s, Atalanta generally lingered in the lower mid-table of Serie A.

1.4. New heights under Gasperini (2016–present)

A former Genoa head coach Gian Piero Gasperini took over prior to the start of the start of the 2016-17 season. Despite the initial struggles The club's performances gradually improved throughout the course of the season. Gasperini incorporated players from the club's youth division and guided the club to a fourth place finish with 72 points, beating the previous record and qualifying to play in the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League following an absence of 26 years in UEFA competitions. The Europa League, the club made it to the 32-man round, losing 4-3 in the final to Borussia Dortmund. The 2017-18 season saw Atalanta was seventh overall in league and made it to the qualifying rounds for the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League, though was eliminated in a penalty shootout against Danish Club Copenhagen. Despite a slow start to the season of 2018-19, Atalanta achieved many positive results and ended up the third position at the top of Serie A, its best ever league position. Thanks to this achievement the club was able to qualify for an appearance in the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in the club's history. Atalanta has also made it to finals in the Coppa Italia final, but it was defeated 2-0 by Lazio.

In the season 2019-20, Atalanta lost its first three Champions League matches, but was able to make it through the Round of 16. Atalanta was then able to defeat Spanish team Valencia in both rounds that comprised the round 16 getting to the quarterfinals where it was defeated through French champions Paris Saint-Germain. It also reclaimed its third place finishing at the top of Serie A and achieved a second consecutive Champions League qualification, breaking numerous records for the club. In the 2020-21 season Atalanta was able to reach the final 16 of the Champions League for the second time after a home win over Ajax and then securing Champions League qualification and third spot on the table in Serie A for the third consecutive time.

On the 19th of February, 2022 on 19 February 2022, the 19th of February 2022, a U.S. based consortium led by Stephen Pagliuca acquired a 55 percent stake in La Dea srl, the controlling company of Atalanta that was owned by the Percassi family. The new contract stipulates that Pagliuca was appointed co-chairman along with Antonio Percassi staying on as chairman.

2. Colors, kits, and crest

As per detail below.

 

2.1. Colors and kits

The first kit adopted by Atalanta shortly after its creation had thin white and black vertical stripes. They were the club's colors until 1920 after which the club merged with its local rival Bergamasca (which featured white and blue kits) in attempt to join the Italian league. After merging, standard color white was dropped with blue and black (nerazzurri) to be the official colors of the newly formed Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio. In the initial few years after the amalgamation, club's kit were black and blue with blue quarters. Atalanta adopted its traditional vertical stripes of blue and black after a couple of years.

The home kits of Atalanta have featured blue and black vertical stripes since they were introduced during the 20th century. There have been slight variations in the thickness stripes have been observed through the years, however the club has never strayed from the traditional design of the home kit. The away kits of Atalanta have historically been predominantly white, but with a few hints of blue and black, and other small details. The third kit and goalkeeper kits haven't been able to adhere to any specific design; a variety of colours (among the most popular are red, green and light blue) as well as black) were used for these throughout the years.

Since the year 2010, Atalanta is playing its last home game in the calendar year an "Christmas Match" with specially-designed kits. The kits are auctioned off to raise funds to benefit charity.

2.1.1. Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Period Kit manufacturer Main shirt sponsor
1976–80 Umbro None
1980–81 Le Coq Sportif None
1981–82 Puma None
1982–84 Sit-In
1984–86 NR
1986–87 N2
1987–89 Latas
1989–91 NR Tamoil
1991–94 Lotto
1994–95 Asics
1995–00 Somet
2000–02 Ortobell
2002–05 Promatech
2005–06 Sit-In Sport (main) – Elesite
2006–07 Sit-In Sport (main) – Daihatsu
2007–10 Erreà
2010–11 AXA (main) – Daihatsu
2011–14 AXA (main) – Konica Minolta
2014–
February 2017
Nike SuisseGas (main) – Konica Minolta / STONE CITY / Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back)
February–
June 2017
TWS (main) – Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back)
2017–18 Joma Veratour (main) – Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back) – Radici Group (Europa League kits)
2018–19 Radici Group (main) – UPower – Elettrocanali (back) – Automha (sleeve)
2019–20 Radici Group (main) – UPower – Gewiss  (back) – Automha (sleeve)
2020– Plus500 (main) – Radici Group – Gewiss (back) – Automha (sleeve)

2.2. Crest

Atalanta has been home to five crests since the team's inception that all are a representation of the club's nickname (except in the years 1984-93) colours, as well as (since 1993) The Greek mythological figure Atalanta which is from whom the name is derived by the club and also their name La Dea.

The club's initial three crests were shields that featured the name Atalanta at the top, with colored stripes to the left and a symbol in the center. The crest's original design was created in 1907, and featured the club's initial black and white stripes , as well as blue patches. In 1963, when the club had won the Coppa Italia title, the crest was updated to incorporate blue and black stripes, with a girl running representing Atalanta. The colors of the crest and representation of Atalanta were changed in the 1970s, but retained the same basic design like in the original 1963 design.

The crest in 1984 changed significantly that included the club's name, as well as the body of the running girl were taken off the crest and its form was transformed from a shield into the shape of a circle. The "classic" design featured an Atalanta-like silhouette in white head set on the background of blue and black with three concentric black, white with golden yellow and black circles. Blue, black and white were kept--as the colors of the club. Yellow was used to symbolize the golden apples that according to legend, Hippomenes tossed to Atalanta to distract her and beat her in a race.

The modern club logo was created in 1993. This crest incorporates 1984's crest in its design, however it the head of Atalanta is tilted downwards and there is no mention of that yellow circle. The names Atalanta and the year of its founding 1907 are added between the circles that is enclosed by an ellipse with the same black and blue background as the 1984 design.

3. Stadium

Atalanta has played in its present stadium at 21,747 seats Gewiss Stadium located in the Borgo Santa Caterina neighborhood of Bergamo since 1928. Before its debut, Atalanta played at several other venues in Bergamo. From its inception in 1907 and its recognition from FIGC in 1914, the club was not recognized. FIGC in 1914 the club didn't have a specific playing field. It only played games in public spaces such as the Piazza d'Armi and the Campo di Marte in Bergamo. In 1914, the first playing field was constructed in the Via Maglio del Lotto, close to the railway line Bergamo-Milan. It was 90 by 45 meters (295 by 148 feet) and was able to accommodate a seating capacity of 1,000 fans. Because of financial strains due to financial hardships during World War I, though, Atalanta was forced to sell the land that contained its field, which left the stadium without a place to play. In the end the philanthropist and entrepreneur Betty Ambiveri sold the Clementina field, a former site located in Seriate which hosted sports events like cycling, and the team. The new stadium was officially inaugurated in the name of Atalanta Stadium and it hosted 14,000 fans in its inaugural game with La Dominante of Genoa.

As football's popularity grew during the 20th century, Atalanta was in need of a stadium. This new arena was built in Viale Margherita (now Viale Giulio Cesare) to replace the hippodrome which was once on the spot. The construction of Viale Giulio Cesare's new venue took a year, and it was completed in 1928, and it cost 3.5 millions lire. It was named in honor of the fascist Mario Brumana; this was usual during the fascist era of Italy. It was the Brumana stadium was bigger that the Clementina field, with seating capacity of 12,000 people in two tribunes (side stands) as well as a field that measured 110 x 70 metres (360 by 230 feet) and also an athletic track, since it was intended to be part of a larger facility. The stadium was inaugurated on the 1st November of 1928. Atalanta was the first team to play an unofficial match in this stadium (a 4-2 victory over Triestina) The stadium was officially inaugurated on December 23, 1928, in which Atalanta beat La Dominante Genova 2-0 in front of more than 14,000 people.

Following World War II, the stadium was changed to"The Stadio Comunale ("Municipal Stadium") since the fascist regime was no longer in Italy. The expansion of the stadium started in the aftermath of the war. The construction of the South standing (the Curva Sud) began in 1949. A second stand at its north side (the Curva Nord) followed in the 1960s. It was opened in 1971. In 1984, the track that ran through the stadium was taken away in order to increase the stadium's capacity following the club's returning into Serie A after five years. The first game played by the club during 1985-84 Serie A, a 1-1 draw against Inter was attended by an audience of more than 43,000 fans an attendance record at this stadium. Stadio Comunale.

The Tribuna Giulio Cesare was renovated in the first half of the 1990s, as well as the venue was named the Stadio Atleti Azzurri di Italia ("Blue Athletes from Italy") at the time of 1994. Following the tragic death of forward Federico Pisani in a car accident and the Curva Nord was named the Curva Pisani to honor his memory. In the same way to Curva Sud was named after him in 2012. Curva Sud was dubbed as the Curva Morosini, in the year 2012 in honor of the 25-year-old youth academy star Piermario Morosini, who died after a collapse in the field during an Serie B match between Pescara and Livorno. As of 2015, the venue extended its side stands to give views of the pitch only a few metres (feet) off the seats, which was a groundbreaking characteristic of Italian stadiums in the era of.

On May 10, 2017 Atalanta announced the purchase of its stadium from commune to the tune of 8.6 million euros. It became one of the four Serie A clubs to own the stadium that is their home. The purchase allowed the club to approve an overhaul plan to the stadium, because similar to the majority of Italian stadiums, a lot of the structure and facilities were considered to be outdated. The renovation was required to improve the stadium to be in line with UEFA requirements to host matches during UEFA competitions. Since the stadium wasn't yet ready, Atalanta had to play its Europa League home matches at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia and also its Champions League home matches in the inaugural season were played on San Siro in Milan. Even though they were not playing in Bergamo but due to the extra capacities of San Siro, Atalanta recorded the highest attendance at home of 44,236 in the Champions League knockout stage match against Valencia on February 19, 2020.

In the wake of a sponsorship agreement with electronics firm Gewiss for a minimum of 2025 The stadium was named Gewiss Stadium. Gewiss Stadium 1 July 2019. On the 6th of October, 2019, the new Curva Nord was inaugurated for Atalanta's home game against Lecce It has covered seats for more than 9,000 fans. The following year both stands were given modernization. The Curva Sud had temporary seats built in the concrete. The upgrades enabled Atalanta to play their Champions League matches in Bergamo from 2020-21. The final phase of the project will feature the reconstruction of Curva Sud (mirroring Curva Nord, which is a replica of the newly constructed Curva Nord) that will expand the capacity of the stadium to 25,000 people in addition to the construction of an underground parking garage, as well as other enhancements to the surrounding area of the stadium. It was initially planned to be completed by 2021 but the construction was delayed until the month of February or March 2022. The beginning of construction was extended to the spring of 2024. It is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2024. Atalanta can continue to play home matches in Gewiss Stadium. Gewiss Stadium during construction.

The stadium located in Bergamo was also utilized as a home field by the local Serie C club AlbinoLeffe from 2003 until 2019 (when they was moved to Gorgonzola) during a time in which AlbinoLeffe was as a member of Serie B and met Atalanta at times. Sometimes, the youth team also competes in games on Gewiss Stadium. Gewiss Stadium, most recently the Supercoppa Primavera in 2021.

3.1. Training ground

Atalanta plays in training at the Centro Sportivo Bortolotti in Zingonia the first complex to be built as part of the community's growth in the 1960s. Then, it was becoming the property of Atalanta by President Achille Bortolotti. The facility was inaugurated in 1977. The facility is utilized by the senior team for training, as well as some friendly matches and also by the youth team for home and training matches in youth competitions like Campionato Primavera 1. Campionato Primavera 1. Atalanta's famous youth academy (Scuola di Calcio, see below) is located in Zingonia which has served as a constant source of capital to the team since the time of its inception.

4. Supporters

According to a study in 2021, Atalanta is the 10th-most popular club in Italy and has around 350,000 fans. While Atalanta supporters are far outnumbered in Italy by the fans of larger named clubs However, the club's achievements over the last few years have garnered an additional amount of support, particularly from younger generation; an growth of 40% was recorded in the year the year 2019. The club also has worked to expand its fan base with its Neonati Atalantini initiative, implemented in 2010 by President Percassi who gave the club with a gratuitous Atalanta replica shirt for every newborn that are born within the of Bergamo. In 2020, more than 36,000 shirts were distributed The same program has been recently adopted from other Italian clubs too.

The majority of the fans are located in Bergamo Province. Province of Bergamo However, there are very strong bonds between Atalanta and the Bergamo residents who usually gather in small groups to show their solidarity with the team. The Atalanta fans (tifosi) are thought to be one of the most passionate and loyal supporters in Italy. Atalanta's Ultras typically meet within their home in the Curva Nord as the unified group Curva Nord 1907, formed from the members of several Ultras groupings under direction by Claudio "Il Bocia" Galimberti during the early 2000s. These Ultras from the Curva Nord are historically left-leaning, but they are now non-political. There is a separate Ultras organization, Forever Atalanta, gathers in the Curva Sud, and is considered to be left-wing. Atalanta Ultras have a reputation as one of the most violent Ultras groups in Italy and self-describes as "we are against everyone" and in reality, with a small number of friends and intense rivalries. This club as well as its Ultras were slapped with sanctions several times through the Italian Football League for violent or racist behavior.

On matches on match days, the Curva Nord usually has fireworks, flares, and even choreography. Sometimes, it is covered with a massive blue and black flag (see the image). In the 2018-19 season, Atalanta matches averaged a crowd of 18,248, out of which an estimated 15,676 were members of the season tickets.

In 2002 Atalanta supporters have held La Festa della Dea (the Festival of the Goddess) which is a three-day event to commemorate the club nearly every summer. The celebration includes food, music as well as a respect for the club's past, management, and players (both both current and former players). Coaches and players from the present also attended the event, including in 2018.

4.1. Friendships and rivalries

Atalanta supporters enjoy a long-standing relationship (gemellaggio and the twinning) with fans of Ternana. The relationship between the two clubs' fans is among the longest and longest-running in Italy that has been enduring from the 1980s. The clubs were 'Ultras' that were unified through shared political beliefs and frequently visit each other's Curva. The club's supporters also have a history of twinning with the supporters who support German clubs Eintracht Frankfurt, a friendship that is also based on shared political beliefs. There are also friendships between supporters of Atalanta and supporters from Spezia (since Atalanta's participation at the european Cup winner's Cup of the year 1988), Cosenza, Cavese as well as Austrian Club Wacker Innsbruck.

Atalanta supporters are part of their most fierce rivalry with the supporters of Brescia's close-by club Brescia. The meetings between the two clubs are often referred to as Derby Lombardo (Lombard Derby). The rivalry is rooted in a feud that raged that erupted between Bergamo and Brescia which dates in earlier in the Middle Ages, beginning in 1126, when Bergamo expanded its territory after purchasing land that was put up to auction by Brescia and this resulted in a number of territorial disputes and violent battles between the two cities, including those was those that led to the Battle of Cortenuova in 1237. The war ended as both towns were united within the Kingdom of Italy in 1861 The city's historical rivalry has been the basis of games among Atalanta and Brescia for the entire span of the club's history. In 1993, tensions between fans of both clubs grew further after a match (won by Brescia 2-0 Brescia) which was postponed three times because of violent scenes in the stands, which led to more than 20 fans being admitted to hospitals.

Since 1977, a passionate rivalry has developed between Torino and Atalanta fans since 1977. Atalanta in addition to Torino. There have been numerous fights between the Ultras of the two clubs when they play each other although some fans share an admiration for each other or view one another "respected opponents". The rivalry between Atalanta and Torino also led to a friendship that was short-lived (lasting until the 1980s) between the fans of Atalanta and Juventus, the city rival of Torino. Atalanta supporters are now also considered Juventus as a hated rival. Alongside Juventus There are fierce rivalries between Atalanta as well as Italy's other well-funded teams: Roma, Milan, Inter, Napoli, and Lazio. Rivalries that exists between Atalanta and Roma was first noticed in 1984 when friendship between the two clubs' Ultras became strained. Milan as well as Atalanta have enjoyed a long-running rivalry, fueled by the closeness between the fans of Brescia and Milan and an incident that was controversial during an Coppa Italia game in the year 1990 that enraged Atalanta fans. There have been matches among Inter or Atalanta have witnessed violence between Ultras from the beginning of the 1970s, driven by the political divide and the clubs' common blue and black colors. Agalanta's battle with Lazio has historically been characterized by opposing political views - namely extreme left and far right, but the rivalry has intensified since Lazio's Coppa Italia win over Atalanta in the year 2019. There are also fierce rivalries between the supporters of Atalanta and those who are from Bologna, Como, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Pisa, and Vicenza and Croatian clubs Dinamo Zagreb.

5. Players

Detail of the players as below mentioned.

 

5.1. Current squad

As of 6 July 2022

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Argentina ARG Juan Musso
2 DF Italy ITA Rafael Tolói (captain)
3 DF Denmark DEN Joakim Mæhle
6 DF Argentina ARG José Luis Palomino (4th captain)
7 MF Netherlands NED Teun Koopmeiners
9 FW Colombia COL Luis Muriel
10 MF Ivory Coast CIV Jérémie Boga
11 MF Switzerland  SUI Remo Freuler (vice-captain)
13 MF Brazil BRA Éderson
15 MF Netherlands NED Marten de Roon (3rd captain)
18 MF Ukraine UKR Ruslan Malinovskyi
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 DF Albania ALB Berat Djimsiti
28 DF Turkey TUR Merih Demiral
31 GK Italy ITA Francesco Rossi
33 DF Netherlands NED Hans Hateboer
42 DF Italy ITA Giorgio Scalvini
57 GK Italy ITA Marco Sportiello
59 MF Russia RUS Aleksei Miranchuk
72 FW Slovenia SVN Josip Iličić
77 DF Italy ITA Davide Zappacosta
88 MF Croatia CRO Mario Pašalić
91 FW Colombia COL Duván Zapata

 

5.2. Youth sector

As of 7 July 2022

No. Pos. Nation Player
44 MF Italy ITA Andrea Oliveri
45 MF Italy ITA Federico Zuccon
47 GK Italy ITA Tommaso Bertini
49 MF Italy ITA Samuel Giovane
50 FW Italy ITA Tommaso De Nipoti
51 MF Ivory Coast CIV Alassane Sidibe
99 FW Guinea GUI Moustapha Cissé

 

5.3. Other players under contract

As of 22 July 2022

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Italy ITA Marco Carnesecchi
DF Italy ITA Tommaso Cavalli
DF Italy ITA Federico Mattiello
DF Italy ITA Gabriel Lunetta
DF Italy ITA Caleb Okoli
DF Italy ITA Matteo Ruggeri
DF Italy ITA Nadir Zortea
MF Ecuador ECU Bryan Cabezas
MF Italy ITA Marco Carraro
MF Italy ITA Jacopo Da Riva
MF Italy ITA Sebastiano Finardi
MF Ukraine UKR Viktor Kovalenko
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Albania ALB Erdis Kraja
MF Italy ITA Simone Muratore
FW Italy ITA Nicolò Cambiaghi
FW Italy ITA Christian Capone
FW The Gambia GAM Ebrima Colley
FW Italy ITA Salvatore Elia
FW Italy ITA Niccolò Ghisleni
FW Netherlands NED Sam Lammers
FW Ethiopia ETH Anwar Mediero
FW Italy ITA Marco Tumminello
FW Italy ITA Luca Vido

 

5.4. Out on loan

As of 22 July 2022

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Italy ITA Lorenzo Avogadri (at Monopoli until 30 June 2023)
GK Italy ITA Andrea Ceresoli (at Mantova until 30 June 2023)
GK Italy ITA Ludovico Gelmi (at Olbia until 30 June 2023)
GK Italy ITA Pierluigi Gollini (at Fiorentina until 30 June 2023)
GK Senegal SEN Khadim Ndiaye (at Bulgaria Hebar Pazardzhik until 30 June 2023)
GK Italy ITA Davide Pasqualini (at Scanzorosciate until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Federico Bergonzi (at Feralpisalò until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Giorgio Brogni (at Ancona until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Giorgio Cittadini (at Modena until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Davide Ghislandi (at Triestina until 30 June 2023)
DF Czech Republic CZE David Heidenreich (at Czech Republic Jablonec until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Christian Mora (at Siena until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Lorenzo Peli (at Novara until 30 June 2023)
DF Argentina ARG Cristian Romero (at England Tottenham Hotspur until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Daniele Solcia (at Virtus Francavilla until 30 June 2023)
DF Italy ITA Marco Varnier (at SPAL until 30 June 2023)
MF Italy ITA Alessandro Cortinovis (at Hellas Verona until 30 June 2023)
MF Italy ITA Emmanuel Gyabuaa (at Pescara until 30 June 2023)
MF Italy ITA Alessandro Mallamo (at Bari until 30 June 2023)
MF Italy ITA Simone Panada (at Modena until 30 June 2023)
MF Italy ITA Matteo Pessina (at Monza until 30 June 2023)
FW Italy ITA Lorenzo Babbi (at Olbia until 30 June 2023)
FW Cameroon CMR Jonathan Italeng (at Aquila until 30 June 2023)
FW Ivory Coast CIV Emmanuel Latte Lath (at Switzerland St. Gallen until 30 June 2023)
FW Italy ITA Simone Mazzocchi (at Sudtirol until 30 June 2023
FW Italy ITA Roberto Piccoli (at Hellas Verona until 30 June 2023)

 

 

5.5. Retired numbers

  • 12 – Dedication to fans, in particular for Curva Pisani ones
  • 14 – Italy Federico Pisani, forward (1991–97) – posthumous honor
  • 80 – Elio Corbani , radio journalist.

6. Managers

Atalanta's director (head coach) is Gian Piero Gasperini. The manager took over the job on June 14, 2016. It has 59 managers (including assistant managers, players who act as head coaches, and manager-in-charges who are caretakers) since the club's the first coach of professional status, Cesare Lovati in the year 1925. The club's longest-serving manager is Emiliano Mondonico, who oversaw 299 matches in all competitions--including a European Cup Winners' Cup and a UEFA Cup--in two spells (1987-90 and 1994-98). The current manager Gasperini has led the club to the highest finishing in leagues as well as UEFA Champions League qualification between 2021 and 2019 He has the second highest number of managerial appearances throughout the team's history (291 in the 21st of April 2022) and also the longest continuous time of his tenure as Atalanta Manager (six successive seasons). Stefano Colantuono, who was manager twice (2005-07 and 2010-2015) is one of the managers with highest number of appearances in league games (261 as compared the 246 of Mondonico) and the third most appearances overall (281).

6.1. Coaching staff

As of 30 July 2021

Position Staff
Head coach Italy Gian Piero Gasperini
Assistant head coach Italy Tullio Gritti
Technical collaborators Italy Mauro Fumagalli
Italy Cristian Raimondi
Goalkeeping coach Italy Massimo Biffi
Fitness trainers Italy Domenico Borelli
Italy Luca Trucchi
Italy Andrea Riboli
Italy Gabriele Boccolini
 

 

7. Finances and ownership

As per detail below.

 

7.1. Presidential history

Atalanta has had a variety of presidencies (chairmen) ( Italian : Presidenti , lit. "presidents" or Italian : presidenti del consiglio di amministrazione , lit. "chairmen of the board of directors') over the course of their history. A few of them have been the primary shareholders in the company. The chairman with the longest tenure has been Ivan Ruggeri, who was removed from his post after suffering an injury to his brain in January 2008 and was substituted by his nephew Alessandro who was appointed the chairman at Atalanta in September of 2008. Alessandro's father was not able to oversee the team because of the effects from the stroke. In June 2010, following another defeat in Serie B, Alessandro Ruggeri transferred his share of the club to Antonio Percassi The new chairman was president of Atalanta.

Name Years   Name Years
Enrico Luchsinger 1920–1921   Giacomo "Mino" Baracchi 1969–1970
Antonio Gambirasi 1926–1928   Achille Bortolotti 1970–1974
Pietro Capoferri 1928–1930   Enzo Sensi 1974–1975
Antonio Pesenti 1930–1932   Achille Bortolott 1975–1980
Emilio Santi 1932–1935   Cesare Bortolotti 1980–1990
Lamberto Sala 1935–1938   Achille Bortolotti 1990
Nardo Bertoncini 1938–1944   Antonio Percassi 1990–1994
Guerino Oprandi 1944–1945   Ivan Ruggeri 1994–2008
Daniele Turani 1945–1964   Alessandro Ruggeri 2008–2010
Attilio Vicentini 1964–1969   Antonio Percassi 2010–

 

8. Honours

As per detail below.

 

8.1. Domestic

Coppa Italia

  • Winners: 1962–63
  • Runners-up (4): 1986–87, 1995–96, 2018–19, 2020–21

Serie B

  • Winners (6): 1927–28, 1939–40, 1958–59, 1983–84, 2005–06, 2010–11
  • Runners-up (4): 1936–37, 1970–71, 1976–77, 1999–2000

Serie C1 North

  • Winners: 1981–82

9. Divisional movements

 

Series Years Last Promotions Relegations
A 61 2021–22 -

Down 12
1929
1938
1958
1969
1973
1979
1987
1994
1998
2003
2005

B 28 2010–11 Up 13
1928
1937
1940
1959
1971
1977
1984
1988
1995
2000
2004
2006
2011
Down 1
1981
C 1 1981–82 Up 1
1982
never
90 years of professional football in Italy since 1929

10. UEFA club coefficient ranking

As of 21 June 2022

Rank Team Points
22 Ukraine Shakhtar Donetsk 71.000
23 Italy Inter Milan 67.000
24 Italy Atalanta 66.500
25 Italy Napoli 66.000
26 Germany Eintracht Frankfurt 61.000

11. Youth system

The Atalanta youth system is made up of four teams of men's that play in distinct regional leagues ( Primavera, Allievi Nazionali A and B, as well as Giovanissimi Nazionali) along with two teams that compete at an local level (Giovanissimi Regionali A and).

The first person dedicated to establishing at Atalanta Youth teams is Giuseppe Ciatto. Every aspect of organisation was handled and solved by him. He also was responsible for the training of the different teams. In 1949, Atalanta was awarded their first Campionato Ragazzi.

In the mid 1950s, the former Atalanta athlete Luigi Tentorio (then Special Commissioner of the club) was convinced that it was time to make a more systematic investment in the development of youth. He decided to establish a true youth section, which had its own distinct structure and separate apart from the main team. The responsibility for the youth sector was given by Giuseppe Brolis, who created an alliance with several clubs across Friuli and the Veneto as well as Friuli region and established an scout network and young coaches.

A significant step in the development of Bergamo youth sector was made in the beginning of 1990s, in the early 1990s, when President Antonio Percassi implemented an investment policy that was new specifically at the level of youth. Percassi was able to persuade Fermo Favini to quit Como in the early 1990s and then entrusted him with the task of overseeing that sector for youth.

The Atalanta youth team did not stop growing the number of players who play for the first team, but also began to receive numerous honors in the top national leagues. From 1991 to 2014 the different youth teams have taken home 17 national championships.

Alongside the successes at young age and beyond, the Atalanta youth program is one of the best respected in Europe According to an assessment by the research center of Coverciano, Atalanta have the most successful youth program in Italy and is ranked sixth in Europe which is behind Real Madrid, Barcelona and three French teams. The parameters were the number of players from the first division created by the club. In the 2007-08 campaign, 22 youth players from the club were in the Serie A and 32 played in the Serie B and three abroad.

A 2014 worldwide analysis by"CIES Soccer Observatory" "CIES Football Observatory" has placed the Atalanta youth academy in eighth place worldwide, having the former participation of 25 youth athletes that play in the top five European leagues.

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