Atalanta strides into Sunday's Serie A top-five clash with a crestfallen Roma, riding high on the pinnacle of triumph after scripting their maiden European final, a historic zenith in the club's 117-year saga.
Traditionally dwarfed by their counterparts, Atalanta, under the stewardship of Gian Piero Gasperini, consistently surmounts new summits, epitomising resilience and prowess. Their forthcoming encounter against Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final on May 22 follows a dazzling exhibition against a hapless Marseille on Thursday night.
In the illustrious span of eight years helmed by Gasperini, Atalanta, despite their enthralling brand of football, have eluded the grasp of major silverware. However, now they stand on the precipice of dual triumphs, poised to clash with Juventus in the Italian Cup merely days after their European showdown.
The journey to these finals marks a monumental feat for a club whose trophy cabinet boasts chiefly of the 1963 Italian Cup. Prior to this epoch, Atalanta's European exploits had been confined to the semifinals of the 1988 Cup Winners' Cup when they languished in the second division.
Gone are the days of toiling in Serie B; Atalanta, guided by the Percassi family, have transcended their limitations while remaining steadfast to their roots in Bergamo.
The Gewiss Stadium, now aglow with fireworks long before the final whistle, stands as a testament to their progress, replacing the dilapidated Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia. Set to accommodate 25,000 fervent supporters from Bergamo and its hinterlands, the stadium heralds a new era for the club, rooted in the heart of the Alpine city, which bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic during Atalanta's ill-fated Champions League campaign in 2020.
Gasperini, reflecting on the impending final, remarked, "Perhaps the final features two clubs that don't dazzle the television networks, yet it instills hope in many teams. Football transcends global fanfare; it's about the dedicated supporters witnessed tonight in Bergamo."
As dawn breaks, echoing the jubilation of victory, a stark contrast envelops Roma. De Rossi's side, crestfallen after a valiant effort against Leverkusen, now faces an uphill battle to reclaim a Champions League berth.
With Atalanta looming on the horizon, Roma's aspirations hang by a thread. Yet, amidst adversity, De Rossi remains resolute, acknowledging the formidable challenge ahead.
