At a time when football is more predictable, where both opponents and winners are determined by wealth, stories like Atalanta's remind us that well-run clubs still have a say in European competition.
It was in 2019 that Josep Guardiola famously said: “Playing for Atalanta is like going to the dentist. It's really, really hard. We knew it would be.”
Atalanta held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the group stage that season and advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but lost to Paris Saint-Germain. A few months later they defeated Liverpool at Anfield.
Under Gian Piero Gasperini, Atalanta's glamorous football brand combined beauty and industry. It galvanized neutrals, inspired generations of tacticians, and won legions of new fans, all on a tight budget.
It is remarkable that a team whose only goal was to survive in Serie A has evolved into an experienced challenger and a regular in European competitions.
This is despite the club continuing to sell off its best assets in order to make ends meet and increase profits. Last year it was Rasmus Hjølund, but at the end of this season it will probably be Teun Koopminers (linked with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United).
Atalanta have always been reliable in finding great young players and developing them into great specialists. How are you doing?
“Atalanta's model is very simple: people who work from morning until night, a fanbase and a city that lives for the club and the team. Basically they are passionate and work 24/7,” said his predecessor. explained. Technical Director Giovanni Sartori.
Atalanta is a labor of love. Only those who can make an effort will be scouted and invited.
In an interview with Fabrizio Romano, coach Gasperini said: “During training, the players have to struggle. Players who are not used to working hard scare me. But from that struggle comes victory.'' explained.
With Gasperini as coach, the club was able to maintain this model and, despite operating on a shoestring budget, was able to challenge the big clubs in Italy and Europe. They spend around 44 million euros a year in total salaries. Juventus spend nearly three times that amount.
A genius with a clear philosophy, Gasperini has many fans, including Bologna manager Thiago Motta, who played for Genoa, and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi. Jurgen Klopp recently described the Italian as a super coach and described Atalanta as “very unpleasant to play against”.
Atalanta are famous for their man-marking style of play and penchant for duels. Fierce and ferocious, they try to destroy the opponent's game plan and organization, creating his one-on-ones all over the pitch.
Always looking to maintain possession, they easily switch play, draw players wide to open up central passing lanes, and quickly advance the ball to create scoring opportunities.
Boasting a dynamic approach, Atalanta are the fourth-highest scoring team in Serie A, but it's fair to say they're not necessarily confident about what's to come, at least when compared to last season.
It didn't help that contracted striker El Villar Toure required thigh surgery last August and didn't make his first appearance of the season until February.
Gasperini is a versatile attacking talent and has tried to find the right combination for success. The truth is they have lost the technical and personal qualities they had the last time they visited Anfield.
They miss the skill and intelligence of Josip Ilicic, who returned to his native Slovenia to join Maribor two years ago, while Papu Gomez, who roamed the pitch, created, scored and improved his own style of play. No one could replace the genius player. . This current version of Atalanta is still very good, but at times it barks more than it bites and is more angry than thoughtful and precise.
Atalanta are opportunistic, taking full advantage of indecision and attacking mistakes. They have the stamina to keep fighting, but they don't always have the technique or calmness to exploit their opponents' gaps.
Gasperini is always focused on making tactical adjustments to put his players in optimal positions, but at times he has found it difficult to overcome opponents who can counter his ideas.
Their football is physically and mentally draining, with injuries and absences having an impact, so Coach Gasperini has made sure his players are well-rested and can continue their dominant performance. I have a hard time getting enough rotation.
Atalanta have been under pressure in recent weeks to challenge for the Coppa Italia, the Europa League and aim for a top-five spot in Serie A. They do not have the depth to fight on all fronts and may not be able to achieve all campaign objectives.
After a thrilling 3-0 win against Napoli, they seemed to run out of energy and suffered a second straight defeat. Sunday's game against Cagliari looked very winnable, but clever tactician Claudio Ranieri had other ideas.
Cagliari showed concentration and fight, and thanks to manager Ranieri's adjustments and substitutions, they came from behind 1-0 to win 2-1. Coach Gasperini left disappointed that his team could not match Cagliari's spirit and motivation.
The best way to play for Atalanta is to show courage. Aggressive by nature and determined to get the ball back, the lower you go, the less likely you are to get injured. Defensively, they have kept an astonishing number of clean sheets in Serie A, but they are still vulnerable to set-pieces and dynamic, direct play.
Atalanta will be desperate to avoid a third straight defeat after being given the chance to face Europe's strongest team again against Liverpool.
Koop Miners has an outstanding talent that allows for goals and constant intelligent movement, while Alexei Miranchuk provides the necessary technique and unpredictability to strengthen the offensive game.
Atalanta can beat anyone on that day. They just haven't had a day like that in a while.
Mina Luzuki is a European soccer journalist and broadcaster, writing for BBC Sport this season. If you have any questions you would like to ask her regarding European soccer, please fill out the form below. She answers some questions in a subsequent column.
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