With the end of the summer transfer window, Football Italia previews the 2021-22 Serie A campaign and what to expect from Atalanta. Words: Richard Hall.
Atalanta remain the underdogs of Serie A, punching above their weight as they duke it out at the top of the table with clubs who have budgets that dwarf that of the Bergamo club. Can Gian Piero Gasperini mastermind another season defying the odds?
ATALANTA TRANSFERS IN
Musso (G, Udinese), Giu. Pezzella (D, Parma), Lovato (D, Verona), Demiral (D, Juventus).
ATALANTA TRANSFERS OUT
Caldara (D, Milan), Radunovic (G, Cagliari), Zortea (D, Salernitana), Gollini (G, Tottenham), Ruggeri (M, Salernitana), Romero (D, Tottenham). Kovalenko (M, Spezia), Da Riva (M, Spal), Heidenreich (D, Spal).
Probable XI
WHAT TO EXPECT
With Atalanta it is always difficult to understand what to expect. Many now see them as a club that should be competing for the Champions League but this is an unfair expectation. La Dea continually punch above their weight and that needs to be respected.
Atalanta haven’t focused much on their youth academy in recent years but have a very promising crop coming through. Instead, they have spent the last five years building a reputation based on savvy business and excellent coaching.
Their attacking football make them a joy to watch but even a Europa League placing this year is a bonus. They are outperforming their position greatly, and that should be applauded.
COACH – GIAN PIERO GASPERINI
Gian Piero Gasperini has worked miracles with the side from Bergamo. It’s been argued that Gasperini is a man on a mission, to show his ability and his ideas. This perhaps comes from his unfortunate time at Inter but the 63-year-old retains big ambitions and is a big character.
Many feared his Atalanta could not exist without Papu Gomez and Josip Ilicic however, last season Gasperini showed that while the players are important, his system is king and can withstand almost any departure.
There are no egos here, no players around whom everything is built, instead there is a team that can slot new faces into any position. They all know their role, they all work for the team, and that is down to their Mister.
CAPTAIN – RAFAEL TOLOI
Rafael Toloi is the man from Brazil with an Italian passport and a Euro 2020 winners’ medal. He was trusted by Roberto Mancini to represent the national squad and he was worthy of a place in the team.
Toloi is arguably underrated and is a strong centre-back with an admirable attitude. He perhaps is the perfect embodiment of an Atalanta player: unassuming, talented, a player for the cause. He is the perfect utilitarian in a squad that asks for exactly that.
It is hard not to like players like Toloi, as when his teammates look over their shoulder, he will always be there giving encouragement.
PLAYER TO WATCH – JUAN MUSSO
Juan Musso feels like he could be the final piece in a beautiful Bergamo jigsaw puzzle. Yes, the youth system is only just sprouting its potential flowers whilst there are cold whispers that this squad maybe past its best but this was an investment that could have been made in the banks of Florence or Venice.
Musso is a superlative goalkeeper whose form at Udinese meant that he should have been snapped up by Milan or Inter; however, Atalanta snuck in and have filled a much-needed void. The goalkeeping position has often been the team’s Achilles heel but not now, watch out for Musso as he could well make himself a hero. He is a player well suited to this adventurous club.
Could be champions if their defence knits well. If not, they’ll be found out at the back like they often have been.
Have as much chance as anyone of finishing first. Could go reasonably far in the CL too, though they’re in a tough group. Losing to Villarreal in the first game could be their undoing.