When Atalanta were eliminated from the Europa League in the playoff round by Denmark’s Copenhagen, diehard fans would have hoped the team could at least finish in the top half of the Serie A table come the end of the season.
The exploits of the previous season’s Europa League had increased hopes in Bergamo, but elimination at the hands of Copenhagen before even making the group stage of this year’s tournament were sobering.
Despite the disappointment of the penalty shootout loss, Atalanta rebounded and now face two do or die matches to clinch Champions League qualification for the first time ever.
It is a dream season for La Dea as manager Gian Piero Gasperini has led them to fourth place with two matches to go.
However, Gasperini’s work isn’t just focused on the league as Atalanta have qualified for the Coppa Italia Final where they will meet Lazio on the 15th of May.
Gasperini took over the reins of Atalanta in the summer of 2016 after leaving rivals Genoa. Unbelievably, Gasperini led Atalanta to a fourth-place finish and automatic Europa League qualification on a shoestring budget.
Although Atalanta live a modest financial lifestyle, the club is knocking on their most lucrative opportunity yet. A place in the Champions League group stage is worth at least €15.25 million.
Just like at Genoa previously, Gasperini is showing that a true coach is one who can transform players and build winning teams. So often today, managers succeed due to the finances available rather than coaching the players at their clubs.
According to Serie A team salary information, Atalanta have the seventh lowest team gross salary out of the league’s 20 teams.
Atalanta’s biggest transfer signing prior to the 2018-19 season was that of striker Duvan Zapata. The €14m deal wasn’t even a permanent signing as Zapata is on a two-year loan with an option to buy for a further €12m.
So far, the signing of Zapata has proven to be incredibly astute. He has scored 21 league goals while providing seven assists.
It isn’t just Atalanta’s signings that have been well timed, but their sales have been too. In the offseason, Atalanta sent midfielder Bryan Cristante to Roma on loan for €5m. They stuck a mandatory buy clause in the contract for €15m plus a further €10m due in bonuses.
Once again, a club got the best of ex-Roma sporting director Monchi.
The player moves at the boardroom level shows that Atalanta are not just getting it right on the pitch, but off it as well.
Atalanta have two games to go in Serie A. If Atalanta win them both, they will qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever. Lazio, who have Champions League qualification hopes of their own, are up first on Sunday.
The Biancocelesti are just three points back of Atalanta. Their league meeting will be a teaser for the Coppa Italia Final 10 days later in Rome.
La Dea will finish the season with Gasperini’s former team Genoa. The Grifone have never recovered from Gasperini’s departure in 2016 as owner Enrico Preziosi continues to run through managers and players without regard.
If Gasperini can achieve Champions League football with a win over his former club, it will be a bittersweet afternoon of vindication.
Atalanta have won the Coppa Italia just once in their history and that trophy came in 1963. The magnitude of achievement in Bergamo under Gasperini is incredible.
Even if Atalanta fail in their bids for the Champion League and Coppa Italia, Gasperini should finally be hailed as a mastermind on the touchline.