Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as Atalanta BC, represents one of Italy's most storied provincial football clubs with a rich heritage dating back to the early 20th century. Atalanta BC history begins in 1907 when a group of ambitious students from Liceo Classico Paolo Sarpi in Bergamo established the club, drawing inspiration from Greek mythology by naming it after the fleet-footed huntress Atalanta.

The club's formative years were marked by local competitions until a pivotal moment arrived in 1920 when Atalanta merged with fellow local outfit Bergamasca. This strategic union created Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio and established the iconic blue and black striped identity that defines the team today. The merger ingeniously combined elements from both predecessor clubs, with the distinctive nerazzurri (black and blue) color scheme emerging as a visual representation of this historical alliance.

Following years of competition in lower divisions, Atalanta's first significant breakthrough came in 1937 when the club secured its inaugural promotion to Serie A, establishing itself among Italy's elite. Throughout subsequent decades, Atalanta BC experienced the typical fluctuations of a provincial club, alternating between Serie A and Serie B campaigns. Despite these oscillations, the team built a reputation for resilience, eventually setting the record for most promotions to Serie A (13) among all Italian clubs.

The early history of Atalanta BC represents a testament to provincial perseverance in Italian football, establishing foundations that would later support extraordinary achievements in the modern era. Through wars, economic challenges, and sporting setbacks, the club maintained its distinctive identity while fostering deep connections with the Bergamo community.

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Atalanta BC achievements span over a century of competition, with the most significant successes arriving in recent decades. The club's first major trophy came during the 1962-63 season when Atalanta claimed the Coppa Italia, defeating Torino in the final. This triumph represented a watershed moment for provincial clubs in Italian football, demonstrating that teams outside major metropolitan centers could compete for national honors. Following this victory, Atalanta reached the Coppa Italia final on five additional occasions (1987, 1996, 2019, 2021, 2024), establishing themselves as perennial contenders in the competition.

In domestic league competition, Atalanta's finest Serie A performances have come during the contemporary era. The club achieved unprecedented success by securing three consecutive third-place finishes between 2018-19 and 2020-21, consistently outperforming traditional powerhouses with significantly larger budgets. These remarkable campaigns cemented Atalanta's reputation as Italy's most successful provincial club, earning them the affectionate moniker \"Regina delle provinciali\" (Queen of the provincial clubs).

Atalanta BC has also displayed remarkable proficiency in Serie B competition, claiming the championship on five separate occasions and establishing themselves as specialists in promotion campaigns. This ability to navigate Italy's competitive second division has contributed significantly to the club's record of 64 seasons in Serie A—the most of any Italian team not based in a regional capital.

The apex of Atalanta achievements arrived in the 2023-24 season when the club secured its first major European trophy by winning the UEFA Europa League. This historic triumph featured a commanding 3-0 victory over previously undefeated Bayer Leverkusen in the final, representing the culmination of the club's modern renaissance. Prior to this breakthrough, Atalanta had demonstrated their European credentials by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals in the 2019-20 campaign, further establishing themselves as legitimate contenders on the continental stage.

\n","club_identity_html":"

The Atalanta BC stadium, officially named Gewiss Stadium (formerly Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia), serves as the spiritual home of Bergamo football. With a capacity of approximately 21,747 spectators, this intimate venue creates an intensely passionate atmosphere that has become integral to the Atalanta BC identity. In 2017, the club made a landmark decision by purchasing the stadium outright, becoming just the fourth Serie A club to own their home ground. This strategic acquisition has facilitated comprehensive renovations aimed at modernizing facilities while preserving the venue's distinctive character and proximity to the pitch that visiting teams find so intimidating.

Visually, Atalanta BC is immediately recognizable through its classic nerazzurri (black and blue) striped shirts, a color scheme dating back to the 1920 merger with Bergamasca. This distinctive palette has earned the team one of its popular nicknames, alongside \"La Dea\" (The Goddess)—a direct reference to the Greek mythological figure who inspired the club's name. The third common moniker, \"Orobici,\" connects the team to the Orobic Alps surrounding Bergamo, embedding the club's identity firmly within its geographical context.

Famous players Atalanta BC has produced reflect the club's exceptional talent development system. The renowned youth academy has consistently ranked among Europe's finest, producing generations of skilled footballers who have represented both Atalanta and larger clubs across the continent. This player development pipeline represents perhaps the most distinctive element of Atalanta's organizational identity, differentiating them from comparable provincial clubs and providing a sustainable competitive advantage despite financial limitations.

Beyond technical elements, Atalanta BC's identity is intrinsically linked to Bergamo itself—a proud city with a distinct cultural heritage. The club embodies the industrious spirit of this Lombardy province, with supporters viewing the team as authentic representatives of local values and traditions. This profound connection between city and club creates a uniquely passionate fan culture that visiting supporters immediately recognize when experiencing an Atalanta home match.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

The current status of Atalanta BC reflects an organization at the pinnacle of its historical trajectory, having evolved from respected provincial outfit to legitimate European contender. Under the transformative leadership of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, appointed in 2016, the club has implemented a distinctive tactical approach characterized by positional fluidity, intense pressing, and committed attacking football. This progressive methodology has earned plaudits from tactical analysts across Europe while delivering unprecedented results.

Organizationally, Atalanta BC experienced significant transformation in 2022 when American investor Stephen Pagliuca acquired a controlling 55% stake in the club. This ownership change brought additional financial resources while maintaining respect for the organization's established identity and operational philosophy. The harmonious collaboration between incoming investors and existing management has created a robust foundation for sustained competitiveness.

The jewel in Atalanta's organizational crown remains its exceptional youth development system. The club's academy continues to produce elite prospects at a remarkable rate, providing both first-team talent and valuable transfer assets. This player development pipeline ensures Atalanta can compete with financially superior rivals while maintaining a sustainable business model—a formula that has become the envy of similarly sized clubs across Europe.

Looking toward the future, Atalanta BC appears excellently positioned for continued success. The combination of innovative coaching, intelligent recruitment, youth development excellence, and improved financial resources suggests the club can maintain its position among Italy's elite while regularly competing in European competitions. The stadium modernization project further demonstrates the organization's forward-thinking approach, with improved facilities enhancing both matchday experiences and commercial opportunities.

Interesting facts about Atalanta BC include their status as Italy's most successful club not based in a regional capital and their remarkable achievement in qualifying for European competition after a 26-year absence. The club's stylish attacking football has earned them admirers far beyond Bergamo, transforming Atalanta from local institution to global football brand. With their 2023-24 Europa League triumph, Atalanta has definitively proven that provincial clubs can achieve at the highest level through intelligent management and coherent long-term planning.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/796_8d4d721a3c.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_796_8d4d721a3c.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_796_8d4d721a3c.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_796_8d4d721a3c.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_796_8d4d721a3c.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_796_8d4d721a3c.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_796_8d4d721a3c.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}},"league":{"id":676,"name":"Serie A","gender":"male","type":"club","format":"domestic_league","createdAt":"2024-11-05T08:57:10.908Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T10:26:28.395Z","stb_id":"serie-a-italy","position":null,"locale":"en","description":"## Serie A: all about the Football League\n\n**Serie A** is **the main Italian football championship**. The **strongest clubs in the country** play in it. This is the **higher league**, i.e. the first level in the structure of Italian football. It is here that the teams compete for the **title of Italian champion** and have a chance to get to the **European Cups**.\n\nThis tournament is known **all over the world**. It has a **rich history** and its football traditions. **Series A** is not only games, but also derbies, stars, intrigue and a special atmosphere. In different years, **the most famous players** played in this championship: from **Maradona to Ronaldo**.\n\n> \"Each year, Serie A attracts millions of spectators - not just Italians, but fans all over the world.\"\n\n**This is a league** worth watching even if you don't support any of the Italian teams.\n\n## History of Series A\n\nFootball in Italy began to gain popularity as early as **at the end of the 19th century**. **The first tournament**, which can be called the predecessor of **Serie A**, took place in **1898**. Only **four teams** participated in it, and all matches were played in one day.\n\nBut **the real start of the modern Serie A** took place in **1929**. It was then that the **single national championship** appeared, where teams from all over the country played in a round-robin format.\n\n**In the 1930s** the first big clubs began to appear. In **post-war times** football in Italy became part of the culture. And since the **80s** **Serie A** began to attract **the strongest football players from around the world**.\n\n> \"In the 90s, the Italian championship was considered the strongest in Europe. Legends played here: Baggio, Vea, Maldini, Ronaldo.\"\n\n**Teams** such as \"**Milan**\", \"**Inter**\", \"**Juventus**\" dominated not only in Italy, but also in the **Euroarena**.\n\n**Although in the 2000s** there were both scandals and a decline, now **Serie A** is alive again - with new heroes, young coaches and an honest fight for every point.\n\n### Competition format\n\n* **20 teams** play in **Serie A**. \n* The season lasts from **August to May**. \n* Each team plays **two matches against all opponents** - one at home, one away. \n* Thus each team plays **38 matches**.\n\n**The format is simple:**\n* **3 points** are given for **victory**\n* For a **tie** — **1**\n* For **defeat** - **nothing**\n\n**Whoever scores the most points** by the end of the season becomes the **champion**. If several teams have the same number of points, **head-to-head** between them is looked at first, then **goal difference**.\n\nThe **bottom three teams** are relegated to **Serie B** - Italy's second strongest division. Instead, the **three best clubs from Serie B** rise to the elite.\n\n> \"In addition, the best teams from Serie A enter the European Cups - the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League.\"\n\n**Therefore, the fight** for the **top-6 places** is very important. This system allows you to make every match important - not only for the favorites, but also for those who are fighting for survival.\n\n## Famous teams of Serie A\n\nIf you think of **Serie A**, the first thing that comes to mind is **big clubs with a long history**. Here, everything depends not only on football, but also on **traditions, fans and confrontations** that last for decades.\n\n**\"Juventus\", \"Inter\", \"Milan\"** are real giants. **\"Juventus\"** from **Turin** has **the most titles in history** — more than **three dozen**. Their discipline, organization and ability to win even when the game is not going, made the club **a symbol of Italian football**.\n\n> \"\"Inter\" and \"Milan\" are two sides of the Milan coin. They are not just neighbors, but fundamental rivals who share the same stadium - San Siro.\"\n\n**And at the same time share** the hearts of millions of fans. Their meetings are always a nationwide event.\n\n**\"Roma\" and \"Lazio\"** — another emotional **Roman derby**. There is not so much tactics as **passion**. Matches between these teams are a separate genre of Italian football.\n\n> \"The Italian league has always lived at the expense of not only victories, but also precisely such stories - with clubs that have their own face and character.\"\n\n## Serie A records and interesting statistics\n\n**Serie A** is not only about beautiful goals and dramatic matches, but also about **numbers** that speak for themselves:\n\n* **The record holder for the number of titles** is still the same **\"Juventus\"**, and this is not surprising.\n\n* **The best scorer of all time** - **Silvio Piola** is a player that few people know about now, but his result - more than **270 goals** - has been unattainable for decades.\n\n* **Gianluigi Buffon** is a goalkeeper who has played so many matches in **Serie A** that it is hard to imagine. **A man-legend** who played at the top level until almost **45 years**.\n\n**Among the club records** there are also plenty of interesting ones. For example, **\"Milan\"** kept a streak of **58 matches without defeat** — and it became a real era. And **\"Napoli\"** in the **2022/23** season finally won the championship after a long break since the days of **Maradona**.\n\n## Modernity of Series A\n\nNow **Serie A** is attracting attention again. Yes, it is no longer as rich as **EPL** and not as glamorous as **La Liga**, but instead it is **real, honest, competitive**.\n\n**20 teams** compete in the league in the **2024/25** season. Among the favorites are the same ones — **\"Inter\", \"Milan\", \"Juventus\"**, but **\"Napoli\"** has also fully announced itself in recent years.\n\n**Increasingly, clubs** are betting on **youth** — fast, technical, with a new approach to the game.\n\n> \"Players like Hviča Kvaratchelia or Lautaro Martínez have become the new stars to be followed around the world.\"\n\n**Also the coaches** are young, ambitious, who are not afraid to take risks.\n\nIn **European Cups**, the Italians are also reminding themselves again: **\"Roma\", \"Inter\", \"Fiorentina\"** play in the finals and prove that **Italy is back in the game**.\n\n> \"Serie A is now the championship for those who are tired of the excessive commercialization of football and want a real fight.\"\n\n## Interesting facts about Series A\n\nItalian football is not only about tactics and titles. There are enough stories that add color and make the championship special.\n\n### Maradona and his \"Napoli\"\n\nWhen **Diego Maradona** came to **Naples** in **1984**, the city changed. **\"Napoli\"** from a mediocre club became a **champion** and broke the hegemony of northern teams.\n\n> \"In Italy they still joke that after his departure, Naples went into \"standby mode\" for almost 30 years.\"\n\nAnd so in **2023** the city celebrated the title again, as if returning to those times.\n\n### The scandal that rocked Serie A\n\nIn **2006**, a scandal broke out that changed the championship forever. **\"Calciopoli\"** is the name given to the investigation into corruption in Italian football. Referees, clubs, managers — everything was connected in a huge scheme.\n\n**\"Juventus\"** was then punished the most severely — **were deprived of two championships** and sent to **Serie B**.\n\n### A club without its own stadium? Normally!\n\nIf you look at **EPL** or **Bundesliga**, all big clubs have their arenas. But in Italy it is not like that. For example, **\"Milan\" and \"Inter\"** have one stadium for two - **\"San Siro\"**.\n\n**Same situation** with **\"Roma\" and \"Lazio\"**, who play at **\"Olimpico\"**. **Own stadium** among the top clubs of **Serie A** only **\"Juventus\"** has.\n\n### A match that lasted... three days\n\nOne of **the strangest stories of Serie A** happened in **1961**. **\"Inter\"** played with **\"Catania\"**, but due to the crowd of fans on the field, the match was canceled. A few days later it was played, and **\"Inter\"** won **2:0**.\n\n**But the decision** caused a scandal - the judges and officials could not agree on who should be awarded three points.\n\n### Buffon's historic goal\n\n**Gianluigi Buffon** is a **Serie A** legend, but few people know that he once almost missed a goal in the championship. It happened during one of his last seasons, when he stepped up to attack in stoppage time.\n\n> \"The shot was strong, but the opponent's goalkeeper saved his team.\"\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Serie A** continues to restore its status as one of the **strongest leagues in Europe**, combining **rich traditions with modern approaches** to the game. Can Italian football return to the **golden times of the 90s**? One thing is certain — **passion and character** remain constant attributes of this championship.\n","active":true,"short_code":"ITA SA","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb8a-cc30-7810-a0c4-e69d419cab3f","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

Serie A: all about the Football League

Serie A is the main Italian football championship. The strongest clubs in the country play in it. This is the higher league, i.e. the first level in the structure of Italian football. It is here that the teams compete for the title of Italian champion and have a chance to get to the European Cups.

This tournament is known all over the world. It has a rich history and its football traditions. Series A is not only games, but also derbies, stars, intrigue and a special atmosphere. In different years, the most famous players played in this championship: from Maradona to Ronaldo.

\n
\"Each year, Serie A attracts millions of spectators - not just Italians, but fans all over the world.\"
\n

This is a league worth watching even if you don't support any of the Italian teams.

History of Series A

Football in Italy began to gain popularity as early as at the end of the 19th century. The first tournament, which can be called the predecessor of Serie A, took place in 1898. Only four teams participated in it, and all matches were played in one day.

But the real start of the modern Serie A took place in 1929. It was then that the single national championship appeared, where teams from all over the country played in a round-robin format.

In the 1930s the first big clubs began to appear. In post-war times football in Italy became part of the culture. And since the 80s Serie A began to attract the strongest football players from around the world.

\n
\"In the 90s, the Italian championship was considered the strongest in Europe. Legends played here: Baggio, Vea, Maldini, Ronaldo.\"
\n

Teams such as \"Milan\", \"Inter\", \"Juventus\" dominated not only in Italy, but also in the Euroarena.

Although in the 2000s there were both scandals and a decline, now Serie A is alive again - with new heroes, young coaches and an honest fight for every point.

Competition format

20 teams play in Serie A.
The season lasts from August to May.
Each team plays two matches against all opponents - one at home, one away.
Thus each team plays 38 matches.

The format is simple:

3 points are given for victory
For a tie — 1
For defeat - nothing

Whoever scores the most points by the end of the season becomes the champion. If several teams have the same number of points, head-to-head between them is looked at first, then goal difference.

The bottom three teams are relegated to Serie B - Italy's second strongest division. Instead, the three best clubs from Serie B rise to the elite.

\n
\"In addition, the best teams from Serie A enter the European Cups - the Champions League, the Europa League and the Conference League.\"
\n

Therefore, the fight for the top-6 places is very important. This system allows you to make every match important - not only for the favorites, but also for those who are fighting for survival.

Famous teams of Serie A

If you think of Serie A, the first thing that comes to mind is big clubs with a long history. Here, everything depends not only on football, but also on traditions, fans and confrontations that last for decades.

\"Juventus\", \"Inter\", \"Milan\" are real giants. \"Juventus\" from Turin has the most titles in history — more than three dozen. Their discipline, organization and ability to win even when the game is not going, made the club a symbol of Italian football.

\n
\"\"Inter\" and \"Milan\" are two sides of the Milan coin. They are not just neighbors, but fundamental rivals who share the same stadium - San Siro.\"
\n

And at the same time share the hearts of millions of fans. Their meetings are always a nationwide event.

\"Roma\" and \"Lazio\" — another emotional Roman derby. There is not so much tactics as passion. Matches between these teams are a separate genre of Italian football.

\n
\"The Italian league has always lived at the expense of not only victories, but also precisely such stories - with clubs that have their own face and character.\"
\n

Serie A records and interesting statistics

Serie A is not only about beautiful goals and dramatic matches, but also about numbers that speak for themselves:

The record holder for the number of titles is still the same \"Juventus\", and this is not surprising.
\n
The best scorer of all time - Silvio Piola is a player that few people know about now, but his result - more than 270 goals - has been unattainable for decades.
\n
Gianluigi Buffon is a goalkeeper who has played so many matches in Serie A that it is hard to imagine. A man-legend who played at the top level until almost 45 years.
\n

Among the club records there are also plenty of interesting ones. For example, \"Milan\" kept a streak of 58 matches without defeat — and it became a real era. And \"Napoli\" in the 2022/23 season finally won the championship after a long break since the days of Maradona.

Modernity of Series A

Now Serie A is attracting attention again. Yes, it is no longer as rich as EPL and not as glamorous as La Liga, but instead it is real, honest, competitive.

20 teams compete in the league in the 2024/25 season. Among the favorites are the same ones — \"Inter\", \"Milan\", \"Juventus\", but \"Napoli\" has also fully announced itself in recent years.

Increasingly, clubs are betting on youth — fast, technical, with a new approach to the game.

\n
\"Players like Hviča Kvaratchelia or Lautaro Martínez have become the new stars to be followed around the world.\"
\n

Also the coaches are young, ambitious, who are not afraid to take risks.

In European Cups, the Italians are also reminding themselves again: \"Roma\", \"Inter\", \"Fiorentina\" play in the finals and prove that Italy is back in the game.

\n
\"Serie A is now the championship for those who are tired of the excessive commercialization of football and want a real fight.\"
\n

Interesting facts about Series A

Italian football is not only about tactics and titles. There are enough stories that add color and make the championship special.

Maradona and his \"Napoli\"

When Diego Maradona came to Naples in 1984, the city changed. \"Napoli\" from a mediocre club became a champion and broke the hegemony of northern teams.

\n
\"In Italy they still joke that after his departure, Naples went into \"standby mode\" for almost 30 years.\"
\n

And so in 2023 the city celebrated the title again, as if returning to those times.

The scandal that rocked Serie A

In 2006, a scandal broke out that changed the championship forever. \"Calciopoli\" is the name given to the investigation into corruption in Italian football. Referees, clubs, managers — everything was connected in a huge scheme.

\"Juventus\" was then punished the most severely — were deprived of two championships and sent to Serie B.

A club without its own stadium? Normally!

If you look at EPL or Bundesliga, all big clubs have their arenas. But in Italy it is not like that. For example, \"Milan\" and \"Inter\" have one stadium for two - \"San Siro\".

Same situation with \"Roma\" and \"Lazio\", who play at \"Olimpico\". Own stadium among the top clubs of Serie A only \"Juventus\" has.

A match that lasted... three days

One of the strangest stories of Serie A happened in 1961. \"Inter\" played with \"Catania\", but due to the crowd of fans on the field, the match was canceled. A few days later it was played, and \"Inter\" won 2:0.

But the decision caused a scandal - the judges and officials could not agree on who should be awarded three points.

Buffon's historic goal

Gianluigi Buffon is a Serie A legend, but few people know that he once almost missed a goal in the championship. It happened during one of his last seasons, when he stepped up to attack in stoppage time.

\n
\"The shot was strong, but the opponent's goalkeeper saved his team.\"
\n

It is worth noting that Serie A continues to restore its status as one of the strongest leagues in Europe, combining rich traditions with modern approaches to the game. Can Italian football return to the golden times of the 90s? One thing is certain — passion and character remain constant attributes of this championship.

\n","has_description":true,"area":{"id":10622,"name":"Italy","country_code":"ITA","iso_code":"IT","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:00:26.328Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T06:27:33.405Z","locale":"en","stb_internal_id":"0192f70c-3858-728f-89fc-c186f9dc7925","overrides":null,"icon":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/Italy_IT_6b15f9af34.svg","mime":"image/svg+xml","caption":null}}}}

Davide Zappacosta: Profile