Atalanta seeking to write a new underdog story

To be taken seriously on the European stage, a team needs to pay its dues; defeat teams that are considered European football royalty, then your path to elite status is set.

Atalanta is a small side based in Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy; who just a little over 10 years a go just gained promotion to Serie A, Italy’s top flight. Today, on the domestic scene; Atalanta seem like they have always been here rubbing shoulders with the country’s more illustrious teams. Now, La Dea as they are fondly known by their fans seeks to cause a raucous on the European stage gaining admirers with every passing day.

On the European scene, especially the Champions League; Real Madrid are the status symbol, the cream of the crop; the elite of elites. The most successful club in Europe; their records are there to show; it is unmatched when it comes to the Champions League; Los Blancos are the team standing in the way of the so called upstarts from Italy. If you believe in deja vu or coincidences; you would really be putting your money on Atalanta as they put paid to a Spanish side at this stage of the competition last season over two legs.

Last season’s recipients of the La Dea treatment were Valencia; you would agree that the Spanish side are not anywhere close to what they used to be as Atalanta got the better of them. In this case it is Real Madrid; a true European elite; armed with a first leg 1-0 victory amidst controversial circumstances with the early dismissal of Remo Freuler. Atalanta and it’s fans felt hard done by that decision which changed the entire dynamic of the game for a team that mainly plays on the front foot, damage limitation seemed an ideal option.

Heading to the second leg; Atalanta can be very hopeful of getting a result against the Spanish and European heavyweights; Real have been in less than impressive form of late with underwhelming performances over the last one month or so. Real’s performances have been characterised by late goals, recoveries and rescue missions; at the weekend a late salvo led by a brace by Karim Benzema ensured all three points for the Madrid team after going behind to relegation candidates Elche.

Atalanta on the other hand head to this clash with only two defeats away from home this season and a run of good performances asides the defeat to Inter Milan. This is a team filled with goals from all across the pitch; their style is infectious and they hold a goal threat from every position. Despite Freuler’s absense; expect Mario Pasalic (who has chipped in goals lately) and Ruslin Malinovskiy to join Marten De Roon in midfield and provide the intensity that enbodies the Atalanta style of play.

This tie is far from over and Atalanta have shown over the last two years in the Champions League that they are no respecters of any team and are willing to punch beyond their weight. An early goal for La Dea, changes the entire complexion of the game which swings things in favour of the Italian side even more as Real Madrid would be forced to get on the front foot and we all know Atalanta are also very dangerous on the counter.

It does promise to be a thrilling encounter and would deliver on goals; tuesday night might just usher in a new installment in the underdog chronicles that seeks to put Atalanta in the consciousness of many of Europe’s so called elites.

 

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