With financial problems and sustainability becoming more important in European football, Serie A is looking to an Atalanta side for inspiration that has run at a profit for eight years in a row.
There is currently a summit this week in Italy on financing and football, where all the club directors went over the importance of keeping the balance sheets in order.
At the same time, Everton were docked 10 Premier League points for financial irregularities, with Chelsea and Manchester City concerned they could be next.
Calcio e Finanza therefore points to the most virtuous of Serie A clubs, as Atalanta have posted a profit for the last eight consecutive seasons.
They closed June 2023 with a bonus of €5.6m, still a drop compared to the €6.4m of the previous season, largely because they had not qualified for Europe and therefore lost circa €30m in TV rights revenue.
According to this analysis, Atalanta had €195.4m in revenue in 2022-23, compared to €205.8m the year before.
However, costs dropped from €193.1m to €185.6m.
The key to their success is the scouting and youth academy, which continually churns out fresh talents and then sells them on at a huge profit.
The most recent example was Rasmus Hojlund, who lasted just one year in Bergamo after the €20m purchase from Sturm Graz, sold to Manchester United for €75m plus bonuses.
Bravi Dea