In a long interview granted to Tuttosportthe patron of Atalanta Antonio Percassi he retraced his career at the Nerazzurri, which culminated in last year’s Europa League triumph: “In 2010 we took over Atalanta, my family and I, as an act of love. Atalanta needed us and we responded present. There are reasons of the heart, but also a great responsibility that we have always felt towards Bergamo, that of building a club worthy of Bergamo itself. So with this philosophy we have carried forward the development of the team, the project stadium, of the new sports center: everything in the image and likeness of the city, so that everyone is proud of it and because it represents the city at its best”.
And were there also a Europa League and rather regular attendance of the Champions League in the initial project?
“From 2010 until today I always say: first we score 40 points to save ourselves, then we’ll think about the rest later.”
This year too? After winning the Europa League?
“I do it and I really mean it. You always have to keep your feet on the ground. My initial plan was to keep the team in Serie A for ten years.”
When you think about that project, what are the foundations, the points around which you continue to build?
“People, passion and dedication. People are fundamental. Those who work for Atalanta, and I really mean everyone, make a fundamental contribution, as simple as it is concrete. Then I think of my son Luca, who is an extraordinary manager , and to an extraordinary partner like Stephen Pagliuca. People are important and we have built Atalanta around people.”