Atalanta BC facts for kids
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| Full name | Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio S.p.A. | |||
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| Nickname(s) | La Dea (The Goddess) Gli Orobici (The Orobics) I Nerazzurri (The Black and Blues) |
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| Founded | 17 October 1907 as SBG Atalanta 30 March 1920 as Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio |
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| Ground | Gewiss Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 24,950 | |||
| Owner | La Dea S.r.l. (86%) (Stephen Pagliuca and others 55%; Antonio Percassi 45%) Others (14%) |
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| President | Antonio Percassi | |||
| Manager | Gian Piero Gasperini | |||
| League | Serie A | |||
| 2018–19 | Serie A, 3rd of 20 | |||
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Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, often called Atalanta, is a professional football club from Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy. They play in Serie A, which is the top football league in Italy.
The club started in 1907. Atalanta has played in Serie A more than any other team from a smaller city that hasn't won the league title. They also hold the record for the most promotions to Serie A and share the record for most Serie B titles with Genoa.
Atalanta won the Coppa Italia (Italy's main cup competition) in 1963. They also won the UEFA Europa League in 2024, which is a big European trophy! The team has played in the UEFA Champions League four times, reaching the quarter-finals in 2020. They also made it to the semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1988, even though they were in Italy's second division at the time. This is still one of the best results ever for a team not in their country's top league in a major European competition.
Atalanta plays its home games at the Gewiss Stadium. Their main team colors are black and blue, which is why they are sometimes called I Nerazzurri (The Black and Blues). They have a strong rivalry with the nearby club Brescia. Atalanta is also famous for its youth academy, which has helped many talented young players become stars in Europe's top leagues.
Contents
Club History and Successes
Early Days and First League Wins (1907–1959)
Atalanta was founded on October 17, 1907, by students. They named the club after Atalanta, a famous female athlete from Greek mythology. At first, there were other football clubs in Bergamo, but in 1920, Atalanta merged with a rival club called Bergamasca. This created the new club Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio and set their famous black and blue colors.
In the 1927–28 season, Atalanta won their first second-division league title and got promoted. In 1928, they opened their current home stadium. By 1937, Atalanta reached Serie A for the first time. They went down to Serie B but came back up in 1940, winning the Serie B title again.
During the 1940s, Atalanta played well in the top league. They were known as the provinciale terribile (terrible provincial team) because they often beat bigger, more famous teams. In 1958, they were moved down a league due to some issues, but these were later found to be false. They quickly returned to Serie A in 1959 by winning their second Serie B title.
Winning the Coppa Italia and European Adventures (1959–1994)
Atalanta won their first major trophy, the Coppa Italia, in 1963. They beat Torino 3–1 in the final, with Angelo Domenghini scoring all three goals. This win allowed them to play in their first major European competition, the 1963–64 European Cup Winners' Cup.
The 1970s and early 1980s saw Atalanta move between Serie A and Serie B. In 1981, they even dropped to Serie C1 for the first time. This was a tough moment, but it helped the club make big changes.
Under new leaders, Atalanta quickly climbed back up. They won Serie C1 in 1982, returned to Serie B, and then to Serie A in 1984. In 1987, they reached the Coppa Italia final again but lost to Napoli. Because Napoli also won the league, Atalanta qualified for the 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup. Even though they were in Serie B, they made it all the way to the semi-finals, which was an amazing achievement for a second-division club.
Atalanta continued to do well in Europe, playing in the UEFA Cup in 1989 and reaching the quarter-finals in 1991.
Ups and Downs (1994–2016)
After some good years, Atalanta was relegated in 1994 but quickly returned to Serie A in 1995. In 1996, they reached the Coppa Italia final once more, losing to Fiorentina. In 1997, Filippo Inzaghi became the first (and only) Atalanta player to be the top scorer in Serie A.
The club faced more ups and downs in the 2000s, moving between Serie A and Serie B several times. Each time they were relegated, they managed to get promoted back to Serie A after just one season. In 2010, after another relegation, Antonio Percassi became the new club president.
In 2011, Atalanta won Serie B and returned to Serie A. However, the club faced a challenge when a player was involved in a match-fixing issue, leading to the club losing points in the league table for two seasons. Despite this, Atalanta stayed in Serie A, usually finishing in the middle or lower part of the table.
New Heights with Gasperini (2016–Present)
In 2016, Gian Piero Gasperini became the new coach. He helped the team improve a lot, bringing in young players from the club's youth academy. In the 2016–17 season, Atalanta finished fourth in Serie A, their best-ever league finish at the time. This allowed them to play in the 2017–18 UEFA Europa League, their first European competition in 26 years.
The team continued to shine. In 2019, Atalanta finished third in Serie A, their highest-ever league position! This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the very first time. They also reached the Coppa Italia final that year.
In the 2019–20 season, Atalanta had an amazing Champions League run, reaching the quarter-finals. They also finished third in Serie A again, qualifying for the Champions League for a second straight year. In 2021, they reached the Champions League round of 16 again and finished third in Serie A for the third time in a row. They also made it to the Coppa Italia final.
In 2022, a US-based group bought a big part of the club, with Stephen Pagliuca becoming co-chairman alongside Antonio Percassi. In 2023, Atalanta started a reserve team in Serie C, which is a new step for Italian clubs.
The 2023–24 season was historic! Atalanta reached the 2024 Coppa Italia final and, even more impressively, won the 2024 UEFA Europa League final by beating Bayer Leverkusen 3–0. This was their first trophy since 1963 and the first time an Italian club won this competition under its new name. This victory also earned them a spot in the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League.
Team Colors, Kits, and Crest
Colors and Kits
When Atalanta was first founded, their kits had thin black and white stripes. After merging with Bergamasca in 1920, they became the "black and blue" team, or nerazzurri. Their kits then featured black and blue squares before they adopted their classic vertical stripes.
Since the 1920s, Atalanta's home kits have always had black and blue vertical stripes. The away kits are usually white with black and blue details. Third kits and goalkeeper kits have used many different colors over the years, like green, red, and yellow.
Since 2010, Atalanta plays a special "Christmas Match" at home each year in unique kits. These kits are then sold to raise money for charity.
Kit Suppliers and Shirt Sponsors
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Over the years, different companies have made Atalanta's kits and sponsored their shirts. Here's a quick look:
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Main Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1976–80 | Umbro | None |
| 1980–81 | Le Coq Sportif | None |
| 1981–82 | Puma | None |
| 1982–84 | Sit-In | |
| 1984–86 | NR | |
| 1986–87 | N2 | |
| 1987–89 | Latas | |
| 1989–91 | NR | Tamoil |
| 1991–94 | Lotto | |
| 1994–95 | Asics | |
| 1995–00 | Somet | |
| 2000–02 | Ortobell | |
| 2002–05 | Promatech | |
| 2005–06 | Sit-In Sport (main) – Elesite | |
| 2006–07 | Sit-In Sport (main) – Daihatsu | |
| 2007–10 | Erreà | |
| 2010–11 | AXA (main) – Daihatsu | |
| 2011–14 | AXA (main) – Konica Minolta | |
| 2014– February 2017 |
Nike | SuisseGas (main) – Konica Minolta / STONE CITY / Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back) |
| February– June 2017 |
TWS (main) – Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back) | |
| 2017–18 | Joma | Veratour (main) – Modus FM – Elettrocanali (back) – Radici Group (Europa League kits) |
| 2018–19 | Radici Group (main) – UPower – Elettrocanali (back) – Automha (sleeve) | |
| 2019–20 | Radici Group (main) – UPower – Gewiss (back) – Automha (sleeve) | |
| 2020–23 | Plus500 (main) – Radici Group – Gewiss (back) – Automha (sleeve) | |
| 2023–24 | Paramount+ (Europa League/Coppa Italia final) – Radici Group – Gewiss (back) |
Club Crest
Atalanta has had five different crests (logos) since it started. All of them show the club's name, colors, and since 1963, the Greek mythological athlete Atalanta. This is where the club gets its name and nickname, La Dea (The Goddess).
The first crests were shields with the name Atalanta and colored stripes. In 1963, after winning the Coppa Italia, the crest was updated to show black and blue stripes with a running girl representing Atalanta.
In 1984, the crest changed a lot. It became a circle with a white outline of Atalanta's head on a black and blue background. This design also included yellow circles, which represent the golden apples that, in mythology, helped Hippomenes win a race against Atalanta.
The club's current crest was designed in 1993. It keeps the idea of Atalanta's head from the 1984 design but adds the name "Atalanta" and the founding year "1907" around it.
Home Stadium
Gewiss Stadium: Home of Atalanta
Atalanta has played at its current home, the Gewiss Stadium, since 1928. It's located in the Borgo Santa Caterina area of Bergamo and can hold 24,950 fans. Before this stadium, Atalanta played in other places around Bergamo.
The new stadium was built where a horse racing track used to be. It opened in 1928. At first, it was named after a local figure, which was common at the time. After World War II, it was renamed the Stadio Comunale (Municipal Stadium).
Over the years, the stadium was expanded. A south stand, called the Curva Sud, was built in 1949, and a north stand, the Curva Nord, was added in the 1960s. In 1984, the running track around the field was removed to make more space for fans. A record 43,000 people attended a match in 1984.
In 1994, the stadium was renamed the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia (Blue Athletes of Italy). The Curva Nord was later nicknamed Curva Pisani in honor of a young player, Federico Pisani, who passed away. The Curva Sud was nicknamed Curva Morosini in 2012 for another youth player, Piermario Morosini, who also sadly passed away.
In 2017, Atalanta bought the stadium from the city. This was a big step, as it allowed the club to start a major renovation project to make the stadium more modern and meet European football standards. Because the stadium wasn't ready, Atalanta had to play some European matches in other cities, like Milan.
On July 1, 2019, the stadium was renamed the Gewiss Stadium after a sponsorship deal. The renovated Curva Nord opened in October 2019, with covered seating for over 9,000 fans. Later, the side stands were updated, allowing Atalanta to play Champions League matches in Bergamo starting in the 2020–21 season. The final part of the renovation will rebuild the Curva Sud and add more improvements, making the stadium even better.
Atalanta Supporters
Atalanta is one of the most supported clubs in Italy, especially in the Province of Bergamo. Fans of Atalanta are known for being very passionate and loyal. The club even has a program called Neonati Atalantini, which gives a free Atalanta shirt to every baby born in Bergamo!
The most dedicated fans, known as Ultras, gather in the Curva Nord. They often create amazing displays with flags, flares, and choreography during matches.
Friendships and Rivalries
Atalanta fans have a strong friendship with supporters of Ternana, which is one of the oldest and strongest friendships in Italian football. They also have friendly ties with fans of German club Eintracht Frankfurt.
Atalanta's biggest rivalry is with Brescia, a club from a nearby city. This rivalry goes back to historical disagreements between the two cities from the Middle Ages. Matches between Atalanta and Brescia are often very intense.
Atalanta also has strong rivalries with many of Italy's biggest clubs, including Juventus, Roma, Milan, Inter, Napoli, and Lazio. These rivalries are often fueled by historical matches, political differences, or competition for top league positions.
Players
Current Team Squad
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Atalanta Under-23 Team
Atalanta also has a reserve team, called Atalanta U23, which plays in Italy's Serie C league.
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Players on Loan to Other Clubs
Some Atalanta players are currently playing for other clubs on loan. This helps them get more experience.
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Retired Jersey Numbers
Atalanta has retired some jersey numbers to honor special people:
- 12 – Dedicated to the fans, especially those in the Curva Pisani.
- 14 – For Federico Pisani, a forward who played from 1991 to 1997 and passed away too young.
- 80 – For Elio Corbani, a radio journalist who was a big supporter of the club.
Coaches and Staff
Current Manager
Atalanta's current head coach is Gian Piero Gasperini. He started in June 2016. Gasperini has coached the most matches in the club's history (387 as of June 2, 2024) and has been with the team for seven seasons in a row. He led the club to its best league finishes and to the UEFA Champions League.
The second-longest serving coach was Emiliano Mondonico, who managed 299 matches in two periods. Stefano Colantuono is the third-longest serving coach, with 281 matches.
Coaching Staff
Here are some of the key people on Atalanta's coaching staff:
| Position | Staff |
|---|---|
| Manager |  Gian Piero Gasperini |
| Assistant manager | Tullio Gritti |
| Technical collaborators | Mauro Fumagalli |
| Cristian Raimondi |
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| Goalkeeping coach | Massimo Biffi |
| Fitness trainers | Domenico Borelli |
| Gabriele Boccolini |
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| Giacomo Milesi |
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| Match analysts | Luca Trucchi |
| Stefano Brambilla |
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| Head of Medical | Riccardo Del Vescovo |
| Head of First Team Medical | Carmine Stefano Poerio |
| Healthcare professionals | Umberto Improta |
| Marcello Ginami |
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 Omar Souaada |
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| Francesco Palvarini |
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| Nutritionist | Danilo Azara |
Club Presidents
Atalanta has had many presidents (leaders) throughout its history. The longest-serving president was Ivan Ruggeri. In 2010, after the team was relegated to Serie B, Antonio Percassi became the new president. He is still the president today.
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Club Trophies
Atalanta has won some important titles:
In Italy
- Coppa Italia (Italian Cup)
- Winners (1): 1962–63
- Serie B (Italian Second Division)
- Winners (6): 1927–28, 1939–40, 1958–59, 1983–84, 2005–06, 2010–11
- Serie C1 (Italian Third Division)
- Winners (1): 1981–82
In Europe
- UEFA Europa League
- Winners (1): 2023–24
Where Atalanta Has Played in the Leagues
This table shows how many years Atalanta has played in different Italian football leagues:
| Series | Years | Last Season | Promotions | Relegations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 63 | 2023–24 | — |  12 |
| B | 28 | 2010–11 |  13 |
1 |
| C | 1 | 1981–82 | 1 |
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| 92 years of professional football in Italy since 1929 | ||||
Atalanta's Ranking in Europe
The UEFA club coefficient ranking shows how well European clubs are doing. Atalanta is currently ranked 20th in Europe!
| Rank | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 18 |  Barcelona |
67.000 |
| 19 |  Arsenal |
62.000 |
| 20 | Atalanta |
61.000 |
| 21 | Napoli |
61.000 |
| 22 | AC Milan |
59.000 |
Youth Academy
Atalanta is famous for its youth system, which helps young players become professional footballers. It has several teams for different age groups that play in national and regional leagues.
The idea for a strong youth system started in the late 1950s. In the early 1990s, President Antonio Percassi invested even more in the youth academy. He brought in Fermo Favini to lead it.
Since then, Atalanta's youth teams have not only produced many players for the main team but have also won many national titles. From 1991 to 2014, they won 17 national youth championships!
Atalanta's youth system is considered one of the best in Italy and even in Europe. Studies have shown it's among the top youth academies, producing many players who go on to play in Europe's biggest leagues. For example, in the 2007–08 season, 22 players from Atalanta's youth academy played in Serie A, and 32 in Serie B.
In 2014, a global study ranked Atalanta's youth system eighth in the world for producing players who play in the top 5 European leagues.
On August 4, 2023, Atalanta created a reserve team for players under 23 years old. This team plays in Serie C, giving young players another step to develop their skills.
Images for kids
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Original concrete Curva Nord in 2012
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Reconstructed Curva Nord in 2020
See Also
In Spanish: Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio para niños
