Atalanta Boss Gasperini Earns Seat in Pantheon of European Greats

Wednesday, May 22, 2024, will stay deeply embedded in the minds of every Atalanta fan for the rest of their lives. But one man deserved the Europa League trophy more than anyone else. Mister Gian Piero Gasperini, ladies and gentlemen! 

One of the most controversial yet highly respected figures of Italian football had to wait until the tail-end of his long managerial career to hoist his first piece of silverware. At 66, Gasperini won his first major trophy as Atalanta swept aside Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in Ireland.

It wasn’t just any win. It was a tactical masterpiece, executed perfectly by every Atalanta player to have graced the Dublin Arena pitch. Ademola Lookman, of course, grabbed the headlines. He became the first player in the Europa League’s 15-year history to bag a hat-trick in the final.

Lookman’s performance will go straight into the history books, but what Gasperini did with Atalanta may last longer. In fact, it’ll stay remembered for eternity, as the club that before his arrival had no business fighting in Serie A’s higher reaches now celebrates its first European title. 

Eight years since taking charge of Atalanta, Gasperini finally had his moment of glory, cementing his legacy with one of the most dominant victories in the history of European finals. What’s more impressive is that La Dea won at long odds. And not just won, they outclassed Leverkusen.

Not even in their wildest dreams could’ve Atalanta supporters hoped for Gasperini’s side to knock Xabi Alonso’s unstoppable team down from a record-breaking 51-game unbeaten run. But the Italian minnows passed the test with flying colors, and at the thick of it was Gasperini’s tactical ingenuity. 

The Atalanta boss schooled one of the most highly-rated up-and-coming managers in Europe. Well done Mr. Gasperini, you’ve etched your name in football history.