The final push of the unstoppable. Why Atalanta is poised to create a sensation.
Before the match against the Turin team, Atalanta is positioned 3 places behind the leader Napoli, trailing by 5 points. In just 4 days, Gian Piero Gasperini's squad will face an even more prestigious match – against the Neapolitans. The Bergamasques also have a game in hand, along with several advantages in their quest for the title, which this time appears more realistic than ever.
The champion believes that Atalanta is the main, albeit somewhat hidden, favorite of the season in Italy's top league, and to substantiate such prospects for the "queen of provincials," has concrete arguments.
Optimal blend of experience and youth, perfect market maneuvering
Among Atalanta's leading players, there are both those who can deliver results right now and those who are progressing visibly, driven by a desire to improve. The 21-year-old Giorgio Scalvini has already added potential to the defense despite missing a lot, Matteo Ruggeri may not always play, but at 22, he can make a difference on the wing, while 23-year-old Charles de Ketelaere is the only one left from last season's brilliant attacking trio.
The example of overcoming the situation in the attack serves as a model of almost ideal actions by the management and coach, distinguishing Atalanta from other leading Serie A clubs. After Ton Koopmeiners decided to leave Bergamo for Juventus, it became challenging. Following Gianluca Scamacca's severe injury, things got tougher. It seemed that only the Belgian was left. Everything changed with the signing of a player who fit perfectly into Gasperini's system. Currently, Mateo Retegui is the team's top scorer, and replacing the Netherlands international was achieved through internal resources – Ademola Lookman has stepped up significantly in his position.
Highly motivated, experienced, and consistent coach
Gasperini is one of the most distinctive coaches in modern football. His desire to stick to his principles and his dogmatic approach to football with 3 defenders, proactive pressing against opponents, and a strong emphasis on physical preparation have not only cornered his counterparts but also created artificial barriers to achieving results for himself. However, currently, everything seems to be going well for Gaspa.
This Atalanta can be considered the strongest since Gian Piero took over the club in 2016. However, today's team even surpasses the squad that won the 2024 Europa League final, thanks to the added touches to its portrait from the head coach. Gasperini has worked to make his team a bit more restrained and, at the same time, less overconfident in defense. The emergence of rational elements in Atalanta's play allows the club to exert more influence on opponents' attempts near their goal, but the 20 goals conceded in 19 matches (5th in the league) still compel the coach to seek improvements in this aspect.
The 66-year-old Gasperini has yet to win any titles at the domestic level. He understands that his time, albeit slowly, is running out. This fact drives Gaspa to focus his ideas and will to win much more intensely than his younger colleagues at rival clubs.
Favorable circumstances
This Atalanta is not perfect; however, the ambitious plans of the club are aided by its competitors. It so happens that clubs that are vying for the top in Italy are currently facing various difficulties.
Lazio lacks both the right personnel to meet its goals and depth in the squad, and the stinginess of the "Eagles'" president remains a hallmark of the Romans. Juventus has yet to lose this season, but the virus of draws that has gripped Thiago Motta's team is frustrating even the most patient "Zebras" fans. Milan's Inter knows very well what it means to win the Scudetto. So well, in fact, that their primary focus is now on another, more challenging international tournament, and for domestic tasks, it seems the "Snakes" sometimes lack motivation.
Ultimately, only Napoli remains. Antonio Conte is free from the need to split his focus between two fronts – the "Partenopei" do not compete in European cups, allowing him to build a team capable of contending for titles without haste and, for now, successfully. However, the southern squad is not without its flaws. Firstly, Napoli regularly drops points against clubs from the upper part of the table. Inter, Lazio, Juventus, and ultimately Atalanta have either beaten the southern team or shared points with them. Secondly, any day now, Napoli will face a challenge that could jeopardize all of Conte's efforts. This concerns Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has clearly packed his bags. There is no ready replacement or player of similar influence on the game within "Il Grifone."
In the end, Atalanta outshines all the aforementioned competitors at least in terms of hunger and desire for trophies. And this factor could prove decisive in the final stretch of the battle for 1st place in Italy.