In the modern era, no coach has achieved as much success with a small club as 66-year-old Gian Piero Gasperini. Despite never winning a trophy before, Gasperini led Atalanta to victory, a feat the club hadn’t accomplished in 61 years. Their recent loss in the Coppa Italia final had left doubts in the minds of many, especially when facing the formidable Bayer Leverkusen.
The odds seemed stacked against them, with Bayer Leverkusen being the newly crowned Bundesliga champions and on a 361-day unbeaten streak. Some pundits believed Atalanta had no chance of winning. However, Gasperini believed that simply reaching the Europa League final was a victory in itself. And he was proven right.
Gasperini’s accomplishments with Atalanta were remarkable regardless of whether they had won or lost against Bayer Leverkusen. The team had been defying expectations for a while, and only now are they receiving the recognition they deserve. By defeating Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta showcased their strength and determination, earning their place as champions.
