The tiny Italian city of Bergamo is home to one of Europe’s most exciting football teams – Atalanta. The Serie A side are led by the vastly experienced and well respected Gianpiero Gasperini. He has already made a name for himself with Atalanta and as he continues to make history, Gasperini is building a special legacy not seen before.
Gasperini has built an exciting, attacking team over the past few seasons. His transfer business has been astute and now they are ready to compete in the Champions League for a second consecutive season and battle for the Serie A title – something the natives of Bergamo could only have dreamt about.
Gianpiero Gasperini: Building a Legacy at Serie A Side Atalanta
Gasperini has Taken Atalanta to Unexpected Heights
When Gasperini took over Atalanta in June 2016, nobody would have expected the meteoric rise from fighting relegation to becoming one of Europe’s most exciting football teams. Gasperini continues to do a sensational job and his team is only getting better.
His fluid style of play has caught the eyes of several football fans across Italy and Europe. The 3-4-3 has proven hugely effective and it certainly has played a significant role in their rise. Atalanta are a possession-based, highly offensive-minded football team which want to constantly score goals and dominate their opponent. Their style of play is an attractive brand and they are winning football matches with flair and swagger.
Gasperini’s first season in charge saw Atalanta finish fourth in Serie A – a huge surprise and sensational achievement. Since that season, Atalanta has progressed each season and in 2019, the club secured Champions League football for the first time in their history.
Gasperini relished the chance to showcase his team on the European stage, and they didn’t disappoint. A nervy group stage campaign saw them finish second in their group behind Manchester City. Atalanta reached the quarter-finals in their first-ever campaign, eventually being knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Paris Saint Germain.
A sensational rise and the city of Bergamo idolise Gasperini for all his hard work and achievements. The freedom of Bergamo was awarded to Gasperini in 2019 highlighting the admiration the 120,000 population have for him.
A Playing Squad all Pulling in the Same Direction as Gasperini
While the manager will take huge plaudits for the job done, his players have firmly taken his tactics and ideas on board. Gasperini has created an attacking ethos and certainly, the players are loving their football.
He has worked wonders with footballers who have transformed into quality players. The prime example is Duvan Zapata. The Colombian international struggled to stake a claim at Napoli despite 15 goals in 53 games. He was largely out of favour and shipped out to several Serie A sides, including Sampdoria and Udinese. However, his move to Atalanta in 2018 has proved a match made in heaven. 47 goals in 81 games for Atalanta is nothing short of brilliant and his overall game has majorly improved. His hold up play and runs in behind have become vital parts of Atalanta’s style. Zapata has become a huge fans favourite and under Gasperini has developed into one of Serie A’s most deadly strikers.
Gasperini deserves credit for putting a team of largely unknown players together who are all pulling in the same direction. There is a positive buzz around the whole football club and that is down to Gasperini’s commitment and hard work.
Fantastic Transfer Business has Been key to Their Success
Atalanta are astute performers in the transfer window. If an offer comes in for their star players, they generally are open to a sale if the price is right. The likes of Gianluca Mancini and most recently Timothy Castagne have left for significant fees which are put back into the club.
Castagne enjoyed three hugely successful seasons at Atalanta playing a huge role in their rise. He made just short of 100 appearances and became one of the best right wing-backs in Serie A during his time. Atalanta made a good profit on the Belgian full-back taking £20 million from Leicester City.
While Castagne will be missed, Atalanta quickly brought in a replacement – Valencia full-back Cristiano Piccini. Piccini is an excellent replacement who knows Serie A well.
Piccini is one of eight summer signings. Their most notable recruits are talented attacking midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk and Argentine centre half Cristian Romero, on loan from Juventus.
However, perhaps their biggest piece of business is tying down Croatian midfielder Mario Pasalic on a permanent deal from Chelsea. Pasalic has become an integral member of Gasperini’s team since his arrival in 2018. His box-to-box role means he breaks down attacks and gets Atalanta going forward – a crucial role in how Gasperini wants to his team play.
Could Atalanta Dare to Dream?
While Juventus will be the favourites to secure their tenth consecutive Serie A title, the likes of Atalanta will give them a real fight. Gasperini’s team have made steady progression each season and now will believe they can finish top of Serie A.
They score goals for fun and know how to win football matches. Their Achilles heel under Gasperini has been their defence. Atalanta do concede goals but Gasperini’s attacking ethos means the defence was always likely to suffer. However, it is highly unlikely Atalanta’s tactics should change and why should it considering the success its brought.
The city of Bergamo is dreaming of title glory and certainly, they will be amongst the contenders. They get their season underway against Torino which will provide a tough test for Gasperini’s team.
Gasperini has got a small city dreaming and certainly whenever he calls time on his Atalanta reign, his legacy will live on.
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