A Glimpse into Atalanta’s History Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as Atalanta, is a professional football club based in Bergamo, Italy. Established on October 17, 1907, Atalanta has had a rich and storied history within Italian football. The club obtained its name from the fearless young huntress Atalanta, a prominent character in Greek mythology revered […]
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as Atalanta, is a professional football club based in Bergamo, Italy. Established on October 17, 1907, Atalanta has had a rich and storied history within Italian football. The club obtained its name from the fearless young huntress Atalanta, a prominent character in Greek mythology revered for her speed and agility. Drawing inspiration from its namesake, the team attempts to mimic her intense spirit and never-say-die attitude on the field.
Following its foundation, Atalanta was officially recognised by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in 1914. Since then, the club has established itself as a prominent member in both the Serie A – the top tier of Italian football – and the Serie B, also known as “La Dea” (The Goddess). Atalanta has had significant successes in the past, which have become the foundation of their fans’ pride and joy. Their most notable accomplishments include winning the Coppa Italia in 1963 and 1984 and securing a place in the UEFA Champions League for their impressive domestic league performances.
Throughout its history, Atalanta has nurtured a fierce and loyal fan base, which forms a crucial part of the club’s ethos. Fans are known to create an atmosphere of unwavering support and passion in their home ground of Gewiss Stadium, which undoubtedly contributes to their team’s unrelenting pursuits for success on the field.
At the heart of any football club lies its jersey, a symbol of identity and unity, and for Atalanta, their famous Retro jersey is no exception. As time passed, the Atalanta kits have evolved through multiple iterations, but the Retro jersey remains a popular collector’s item for fans and football enthusiasts.
The classic Atalanta home jersey is characterised by its distinctive vertical blue-and-black stripes, which evidently pay homage to the colours of the city, Bergamo. The blue symbolises the ancient Cappella Colleoni, a renowned chapel attached to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore, while the black takes influence from the Mariano Mantegazza’s book “The Sons of Atalanta”, signifying the connection between the football club and Bergamo’s citizens. The iconic jersey with its bold stripes on the front and back has been worn by the team during many memorable victories over the years, solidifying its nostalgic appeal.
The away jersey deviates from the traditional blue and black, featuring a cleaner white base. This is often complemented by blue or black detailing, such as stripes, trim or even as base colours for the club’s crest, sponsor logo and kit supplier logo. Despite the variation in style, it is still a popular Retro Atalanta jersey for fans.
Over the years, the Atalanta jersey has seen various manufacturers such as Lotto, Kappa and eventually Nike, supplying the kits. Each manufacturer has left its unique mark on the design, but the classic striping pattern remains a constant fixture in most iterations of the jersey.
Previously known as Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, the Gewiss Stadium, situated in Bergamo, has been Atalanta’s home ground since 1928. It has a capacity of around 21,300 spectators, making it one of Italy’s more modest stadiums in recent times. However, the atmosphere generated within the ground has often been lauded, as fans come together to support their team with unrivalled passion.
In January 2019, the stadium underwent a significant renovation to modernise its infrastructure, which involved the construction of new stands, VIP boxes and roof installations. The result was a more sophisticated and contemporary venue for fans to witness their beloved Atalanta strut their stuff on the field.
Atalanta has been home to numerous noteworthy players who have left their indelible marks on the club’s history. Among them are:
1. Glenn Strömberg – A Swedish midfielder who played for the club between 1984 and 1990 and won the Coppa Italia with Atalanta in 1985.
2. Roberto Donadoni – An Italian legend who started his professional career at Atalanta before moving on to AC Milan to become one of their key players in the 90s.
3. Christian Vieri – A powerful Italian striker who played for Atalanta during the 1995-1996 season, scoring an impressive 9 goals in 21 appearances.
4. Papu Gomez – The Argentine attacker spent seven years at Atalanta from 2014 to 2021, becoming the captain and the face of the club while leading them to several successful seasons.
5. Duván Zapata – The Colombian forward has consistently found the back of the net for Atalanta since joining the club in 2018.
While Atalanta may not boast the most extensive trophy cabinet or claim consistent dominance over Italian football, the club remains a symbol of pride and tenacity for its loyal supporters. As they don their iconic Retro Atalanta jerseys and congregate in the Gewiss Stadium, fans continue to celebrate the rich history and unwavering spirit that makes Atalanta the beloved football club it is today.
