A Century of Passion: History of Atalanta Bergamo

Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, more commonly known as Atalanta Bergamo, is one of Italy’s most storied football clubs. Its rich history dates back to its founding in 1907. Hailing from the city of Bergamo in northern Italy, Atalanta has long been a symbol of local pride and resilience.

While the club may not have the same historical prominence as some of Italy’s more famous teams, such as Juventus or AC Milan, Atalanta’s journey is one of determination, growth, and unwavering passion for the game. Over the years, the team has built a reputation for producing homegrown talent, playing an exciting brand of attacking football, and defying expectations both in Serie A and on the European stage.

From humble beginnings to becoming a powerhouse in Italian football, Atalanta’s legacy continues to shape Bergamo’s football culture and inspire fans worldwide. Here, we will unveil every aspect of the history of the most successful football club Bergamo ever revealed to the world. Take a look at every element below, and you’ll become an expert on the matter.

More than an average Italian club, it is a martyr of the sport and an example for any aspiring player or fan. Here’s everything you need to know about Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio and its history:

Table of Contents

• A Century of Passion: History of Atalanta Bergamo
• What Sets Atalanta Bergamo Apart From Other Clubs
• Atalanta Stadium: Where Everything Is Possible
• History of Atalanta Bergamo
• Club Achievements and Awards
• Atalanta Bergamo Records
• Iconic Players and Names
• Write Your History With FootballTeam

What Sets Atalanta Bergamo Apart From Other Clubs

You don’t become a reference in the sports world just by existing and playing your average games. To reach the status of Atalanta BC, you must influence the scenario and create a legacy that impacts every aspect of football. Atalanta became a top-tier club because of their successful results and constant efforts.

The team was responsible for influencing numerous generations of young players, whether through its results in the UEFA Europa League or its importance in the Italian territory. It might not be the same size as Juventus, AC Milan, and other teams from Serie A, but it is equally important and contributed to numerous parts of the sport to become what it is today.

Atalanta has over a century of history, and the club won numerous awards that confirm their power and talent. But things were not always like that. Another aspect that makes the team so impressive is their resilience and growth. They went from a terrible provincial team that struggled to win any match to one of the most vital sports institutions in the country.

The journey is full of challenges, ups and downs, each contributing to the team to become what it is today. Whether you’re a football fan or an aspiring player, the black and blue uniform has valuable lessons to teach everyone.

Atalanta Stadium: Where Everything Is Possible

As expected from a widely known and awarded team of the Italian League, their stadium is also a show that mixes the best of technology with bold architecture. The Atalanta Stadium, or Gewiss Stadium, is one of the leading sports constructions in the country and the main stage for all kinds of events, whether Champions League home matches, games of Atalanta’s renowned youth academy, concerts, or anything else. It is a versatile venue and an essential landmark in the province, reinforcing the importance of the team and reminding everyone of how far the team has reached in over a century.

The stadium, which officially opened in 1928, has been known by several names throughout the years. It is formally called the Gewiss Stadium due to sponsorship reasons, but it is also commonly referred to as Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia or Stadio di Bergamo during Champions League matches or general UEFA competitions.

With 23,400 seats, the arena can comfortably host a variety of events, from football matches to concerts.

The Gewiss Stadium is a masterpiece inside and out, with striking looks and a comfortable atmosphere.

Atalanta has played hundreds of matches on the ground, and the stadium continues to be a symbol of pride for the city. It is a must-see for anyone visiting Italy.

History of Atalanta Bergamo

Now, it’s time to dive into the club’s history and what sets it apart from other teams on the continent. We will unveil every detail about its legacy and century of existence, from its Champions League campaign to its early days and best players.

Whether you’re a fan or an aspiring player, this article is for you. Make sure to take a look at each aspect of the club, and you’ll become an expert on the matter. Here is everything you need to know about Atalanta Bergamo’s history and their neverending legacy:

Foundation and Early Days

The roots of Atalanta Bergamo, one of Italy’s oldest and most storied football clubs, trace back to 1907 in Bergamo, Italy. The club was established by a group of sports-loving students who drew inspiration for the team’s name from the Greek mythological athlete, Atalanta.

Although not the first team in Bergamo, Atalanta quickly captured the hearts of the local community. This led to an immediate rivalry with Bergamasca, the other prominent team in the area. Despite being established earlier, Bergamasca was equally popular, intensifying the competition between the two clubs.

Atalanta, though formed in 1907, wasn’t officially recognized by the Italian Football Federation until 1914. In 1919, the Federation declared that only one club from Bergamo could participate in the Prima Categoria, the country’s premier football league.

The two rival clubs were at odds, as expected, and a playoff match was scheduled to determine which team would be admitted into the league. In the same year, Atalanta and Bergamasca faced off in a decisive match, with Atalanta emerging victorious with a 2-0 score. This win solidified Atalanta’s position as the region’s representative in the Prima Categoria.

After that, the club merged with Bergamasca, and together, they created a football institution that would represent everyone’s dream. With this, a new team was born: Atalanta Bergamsca di Ginnastica e Scherma, shortened to Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio as we know it today.

During the early 1920s, the team competed in the second division of Italian football and hosted sporting events against the leading teams featured in the competition. Even though the club failed to reach the first division in the first editions of the tournament, the Italian club won almost every game and got promoted in 1928.

However, after the Italian Football Federation restructured the competition, the club got allocated to the second division again, winning its promotion back to the Serie A in 1937. It wasn’t even considered a relegation since it was due to changes in the structure of the First Football Association.

A Stadium to Call Their Home

In the late 1920s, Atalanta relocated to their cherished stadium in the Borgo Santa Caterina neighborhood. The construction of a stadium for a relatively new team like Atalanta was unusual at the time. However, due to the large number of Atalanta fans and supporters, it was both feasible and essential to accommodate all the spectators who wanted to attend the games.

Even though Atalanta Stadium was a very modern stadium for its time and had great looks, it was far from as contemporary as it is today. The stadium went through a lot throughout the years, which is expected from a venue almost a century old.

It hosted Europa League home matches, tons of other European competitions, and even international matches that became legendary events in football history. But much more than the training ground Atalanta trains or the football ground of the region, it is a versatile venue that saw many other sports and events, including concerts and others.

Whether during the team’s lows or highs, the venue has always been their ground and a symbol of pride for anyone in the region. It inspires football and helps spread the love for the sport throughout the Italian region.

World War and Serie A Struggles

The team was promoted to the top-flight league at the end of the decade, but they were relegated back to the second division at the end of the season. In 1940, the club reached the first division of football in the country and had a decade of solid results. Everything from the club captain to the institution’s managers seemed to be in place for a great era of football.

The Second World War, which occurred only a few years later, disrupted the global sports scene in an unforeseen way. Although sports didn’t come to a complete standstill, it slowed down significantly, making it more challenging for a divisional league victory or individual campaigns to garner attention across the continent.

The entire world was scared of the effects of the war, and the intercontinental competitions had even more tension, whether it was against a German club, Spanish club, Croatian club, or anything else. This was even more complicated, considering Italy was one of the central countries involved in the conflict.

Despite facing numerous challenges and instability, the team consistently delivered strong performances and remained a top contender over the years. Although they maintained their position in Serie A, victory in the tournament remained elusive. Their best result came in 1947, with a fifth-place finish, earning them the nickname “provinciale terribile” (terrible provincial team). While a major trophy remained out of reach, the team enjoyed a prolonged stay in Serie A until 1958. Relegation to Serie B followed a match-fixing accusation, which was later proven false. The club swiftly returned to Serie A, securing the Serie B trophy just one season later.

Coppa Italia and Poor Results

The 60s started great for the Italian team, as they reached the semi-finals of numerous vital tournaments, but the period was not the highlight of the decade for them. In 1963, the team finally won its first major award by winning the renowned Coppa Italia, a traditional competition in the country that reunites the best teams. The final game was a thriving match against Torino, in which Atalanta won 3-1, confirming them as the official winners of that year’s tournament.

In the early 1960s, the team also debuted in European competitions. The Coppa Italia victory was important, but was still a national trophy; the next step was to win a continental award. In 1962, Atalanta competed in the Mitropa Cup, a European competition that reunited teams from all over the territory, from a Russian club to giants of Spanish football.

Atalanta’s impressive performance in the group stage secured their place in the UEFA European Cup Winners’ Cup, marking their debut in a UEFA tournament. Although they didn’t ultimately win the trophy, reaching this stage was a significant achievement for the club and its supporters, who had long hoped to see their team compete at a higher level. These outstanding results at the start of the decade propelled Atalanta into the European football scene.

However, this was their last significant achievement in the decade. The rest of it was marked by declining performances and bad results, leading to an inevitable relegation. Fans seeing the Atalanta fall couldn’t recognize the team, and it looked completely different from the club that played the Coppa Italia final match.

The team went on one of its most insatiable performances ever, constantly jumping from one division to another. There would be a playoff match where the team would perform outstandingly and score multiple goals, while others would fail to hit the net once. This led to numerous changes in the club’s structure and prominent names, everything to bring the club back to its glory.

Hard Decades and Atalanta Youth Teams

The team struggled to stay in Serie B for decades due to inconsistent results and poor decisions. Even though they had easily won the group stage in previous years, they now struggled against weaker teams. This trend continued through the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, leading to financial issues. The club was sold multiple times and so were the key players to avoid bankruptcy.

With the team’s best players gone and Serie A out of reach, the administration turned to the youth academy for promising players. The Atalanta Youth system, focused on developing players for the main club, played a crucial role in revitalizing the team and preventing further relegation. Youth players took on leadership roles and made important decisions.

While this wasn’t enough to completely stabilize the club, it was a start and gave fans hope. The team failed to qualify for the UEFA Cup in 1993, and the coach was changed three times during the season.

Modern Atalanta Bergamo and Recent Success

After years of struggles and impactful industry changes, it was time for the team to get on its feet and start a new, successful era. The change effectively began when Gasperini was appointed the club’s coach in 2016.

He introduced new tactics, strategies, and names from the club’s youth academy. The process was slow, but the changes were definitely making a positive impact, as the team managed to finish fourth in the league, with 72 points. It was one of their best campaigns in the last few years and was a sign that the team was ready to conquer new tournaments and the restructured Italian League.

He also managed to qualify for the 2017-18 UEFA Europa League. It was the first time they managed to participate in a UEFA tournament in 26 years, already representing a victory for the new team. The club reached the Round of 32, where they lost a game against Borussia Dortmund. But thanks to their score and performance, they also earned a spot in the Europa League in the following season.

The new phase of Atalanta Bergamo was and still is prosperous. After the 2018 campaign in the Europa League, they also finished third in the Serie A in Italy. With this, they secured Champions League qualification for the first time in their history. Not only that, but they managed to reach the finals of Coppa Italia once again after numerous seasons. Sadly, they lost the game to Lazio 2-0.

If that wasn’t enough to prove the team was back stronger, Atalanta also conquered its second consecutive Champions League qualification, giving the team another chance to show their full potential and possibly bring home the most important trophy in the European sports world. Sadly, it wasn’t the case, and just like in the previous campaign, they lost during the round of 16.

In more recent years, they also managed to win the UEFA Europa League tournament, being their first major trophy since 1963 and the first time an Italian club won the competition since its restructuring process.

Future of Atalanta Bergamo

Even though the Atalanta Football Association based in Bergamo never managed to shine as much as other clubs from the country, like Inter Milan and Juventus, the professional club reached much farther than they ever expected.

Atalanta qualified for some of the world’s most prestigious and competitive tournaments and created fame that fans and the general football community will never forget. They created an empire from scratch and built a history that made every Bergamo citizen proud.

Whether through the central team or the Atalanta Youth Academy, the name continues to symbolize strength and resilience in the territory. We can expect to see much more from them in the future and even better results. The team showed constant growth and flew higher than ever in the most recent years, reaching further and making every citizen of Bergamo believe in the dream of seeing them raise important trophies, like the National League, Champions League, or any other major tournament.

You can also expect to see many world-class players being revealed by the Italian club as their young generation of players is known for showing exceptional talent and great results with time. It is a team to be respected in any tournament and a must-watch if you’re a football fan like us. Make sure to keep an eye out for their next steps, and you’ll learn even more fun things about this fantastic team.

Club Achievements and Awards

Here, we will cover some of the main achievements and trophies conquered by Atalanta Bergamo throughout the century. From the competition to the story behind the trophy, we will tell you every aspect you need to know. Here are the main achievements and club records of Atalanta:

Coppa Italia – 1 Trophy

Atalanta Bergamo’s Coppa Italia victory is one of their proudest achievements. Although they’ve only won the tournament once, they’ve come close on several other occasions, reaching the finals and proving they have what it takes to be champions again. Given the fierce competition and the club’s past instability, their triumph was unexpected.

Despite the odds, they emerged victorious, demonstrating their resilience and determination. The majority of the club’s fans are in Italy, and for them, the Coppa Italia is a major event. The tournament features intense matches between top teams, where every goal and pass is crucial. Don’t be surprised if Atalanta Bergamo wins the Coppa Italia again in the near future.

UEFA Europa League – 1 Trophy

The Europa League, while perhaps not as glamorous as the Champions League, is nonetheless a prestigious and challenging tournament. Atalanta had competed in the Europa League many times over the years, but had never secured a victory until the 2023-2024 season. This triumph was a momentous achievement for the club, marking their most significant trophy to date. Their victory not only solidified their position as the top team of the season but also guaranteed them a spot in the 2024-2025 Champions League, offering another opportunity to claim European football’s most coveted prize.

Italian Serie B Championship – 5 Trophies

Atalanta Bergamo has a history of relegation, but they also have a strong record of success in Serie B. The team has won the Serie B championship five times, often immediately after being relegated. Their first Serie B championship was in 1940, the same season they were relegated. In recent years, Atalanta has performed well in Serie A and has avoided relegation. Their last Serie B championship was in 2011, and they have remained in Serie A for over 10 years since then.

Atalanta Bergamo Records

Along with the decorations, the club is famous for some of the records conquered throughout the seasons. Here, we will show you the main ones.

Some of them are positive and helped the club grow in popularity, while others are negative due to the club’s instability during the decades. Here are the records gathered by Atalanta throughout the years:

Promoted to Serie A Most Times

It is hard to say if this is the club’s positive or negative characteristic. However, it is the team with the most promotions to Serie A in the Italian League’s history, which is a direct showcase of their abilities.

It might seem good because it is easy for them to reach the top of the competition and win their spot back in the top flight. However, if we analyze it, we also see the negative fact that the only reason they have this many promotions is that they have been relegated numerous times throughout the century.

Even though they found stability in the last campaigns and have not been relegated in over 10 years now, the team had some difficulties back then, and this record is much due to those times. As the team grew, these became a thing of the past, but the record still showcases these days when staying on top was not easy for Atalanta.

Most Goals for the Club

The team has showcased many talented athletes, some of whom have achieved significant fame. One such player holds a remarkable record for most goals scored for the club.

Italian player Cristiano Doni netted 112 goals for Atalanta Bergamo over his career, appearing in over 300 games for the team. He quickly became one of the club’s most prominent talents and a beloved figure among fans. His record is especially impressive given that the second-highest goalscorer, Zapata, scored 82 goals.

Both players were exceptional and instrumental in the team’s most notable achievements throughout the years. Their legacy continues to influence the team’s philosophy both on and off the field.

While not a world record, Doni’s achievement is significant for the team’s fans and followers. He is a legend in the region and a cornerstone of the club’s history.

Most Serie A Seasons Without Winning

This is one of those negative records we mentioned earlier. Atalanta Bergamo is currently the team with the most seasons without winning the trophy in the Italian First League. They spent a total of 63 seasons without conquering the award. It is essential to mention that it doesn’t mean 63 consecutive seasons but the total of campaigns played without winning the prize.

The record still haunts the team despite all its efforts over the last few years, during which it’s been growing constantly and showcasing its best level of football yet. Thankfully, in other competitions, like the European Cup, the team still manages to show solid strategies and conquer the awards.

Note that all these trophies mentioned are available for you to see in their museum inside the stadium. It is one of the best activities you can do in the region if you’re a sports fan. You can learn even more curiosities about Atalanta Bergamo and purchase gifts to take this memory home.

Iconic Players and Names

None of this would be possible without iconic players and people who did everything they could to transform Atalanta into the next Italian football powerhouse. Whether with two club supporters or a thousand, this team built everything through teamwork.

Together, they created a legendary name known by the Italian community and continues to inspire new generations of players. Here are the prominent people responsible for this legacy:

Angelo Domenghini

For Atalanta players, Angelo Domenghini is an inspiration and a savior. The striker is one of the best-regarded players the club hired and was responsible for one of the most iconic goals in the club’s history, also guaranteeing a significant award.

During the finals of one of the Coppa Italia tournaments they played, Domenghini scored the final goal against Torino with a hat-trick. It was one of the best scenes in the competition’s history and left everyone in awe of the amazing goal.

Since that day, the player’s fame at the club has never been the same. He became a hero to many fans and an inspiration for the younger generations of the club. His contributions go far beyond this particular goal, but this is his most important moment in the team.

Whether during a main tournament or a relegation to Serie B, he always did everything he could to take the club ahead and grow. He is a legend for any Italian sports fan and an inspiration for precise plays and game awareness.

Cristiano Doni

We already mentioned him earlier, and of course, he would also get a spot among the best players. Cristiano is the team’s top goalscorer, but much more than that, he was a pillar in the team’s attacking strategies.

His precise kicks and finishes are still remembered by the club and inspire the younger generations of Atalanta fans and players. Doni served the club for several years and participated in over 120 matches wearing the Atalanta shirt.

Doni’s career ended after the match-fixing scandal, for which he was banned from the fields for three and a half years, leading to his retirement. In December of that year, he was arrested with a group of 16 people due to another match-fixing investigation. Although the Atalanta team was proven innocent, Doni was found guilty in his second charge, marking the end of his football career.

Roberto Donadoni

Roberto Donadoni, a renowned figure in Italian football, is revered by both Atalanta fans and the broader Italian sports community. Not only was he a standout player for the club, instrumental in their numerous achievements and recoveries, but he also made his mark as the coach of the Italian national team. Donadoni’s influence as both a player and coach was undeniable, as he introduced innovative strategies and inspired his teams to reach new heights. His creative genius and strategic vision were crucial to the development and success of both Atalanta and the national team, solidifying his status as a legendary figure in Italian football.

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