Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini brimmed with pride after masterminding a dominant 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final. This triumph not only secured Atalanta’s second major trophy but also ended a 25-year drought for Italian clubs in the competition.
“Hugely proud for all of Italy,” Gasperini declared to reporters, acknowledging the weight of history lifted. “This trophy felt cursed, even though only Inter and Roma reached the final in the past 25 years, and they both lost.”
Atalanta’s victory, spearheaded by Ademola Lookman’s sensational hat-trick, was a story unlike any other. “Winning it with Atalanta is perhaps one of those footballing fairytales that very rarely happen,” Gasperini remarked. “It shows there’s still room for meritocracy in football. There’s still room for ideas, and it doesn’t only come down to numbers and the super league (clubs).”
The triumph held a deeper significance for Gasperini, a manager deeply connected to the club and the city of Bergamo. Founded in 1907, Atalanta’s history is interwoven with the city’s. In 2020, Bergamo became a tragic symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic, enduring a devastating outbreak with a death rate five times higher than usual. The economic and social scars remained fresh.
“It’s hard to erase certain scares even if a number of years have since passed by,” Gasperini admitted when asked about the win’s impact on Bergamo. “They were very painful moments. The people of Bergamo were always ready to react even when it got tough.”
While the victory could not erase the city’s collective pain, Gasperini recognized its uplifting power. “Of course, we won’t be able to do away with all of that pain, but I think we have managed to put a smile on the faces of the people of Bergamo,” he concluded, his voice filled with emotion.
Atalanta’s Europa League triumph transcended the beautiful game. It was a story of resilience, a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity, and a moment of joy for a city forever marked by hardship. Gasperini, the architect of this remarkable feat, ensured his place not only in Atalanta’s history but also in the hearts of the people of Bergamo.
