Alejandro “Papu” Gomez, a former star of Atalanta, shared his insights on the current state of the team and their upcoming challenges. Having spent six and a half years with the club, Gomez remains deeply connected to Atalanta, now living in Bergamo and training nearby. He has been closely following the team’s progress, tell Gazzetta dello Sport, “I watch every game on TV. My son Bauti has seen all the home matches with a classmate.”
Reflecting on Atalanta’s transformation, he notes, “The fans are exhilarated; some are even ‘crazy.’ They understand they have a team that is not afraid of anything. It has changed their mindset: they feel like fans of a big club and want to fight for the top spots.” This shift in mentality is evident as Gomez emphasizes the team’s character and maturity, saying, “Atalanta plays well; why not dream of something even more?”
When discussing the team’s potential this season, Gomez expresses optimism about their chances in Serie A. “I believe they can finish in the top three. I don’t see any unbeatable competitors,” he explains. He acknowledges Inter’s strength but insists that Atalanta should not consider any rival as a guaranteed loss.
Gomez does not shy away from discussing the possibility of Atalanta winning the Scudetto. “No, because you can see that the team wants to fight for everything,” he asserts. However, he does caution that competing in multiple tournaments could impact their performance.
He highlights the depth of the current squad compared to his time at the club. “In my days, we had 12-13 starters; today there are at least 16. If one is missing, whoever comes in performs just as well or even better,” he states confidently.
Gomez also reflects on Atalanta’s recent successes in Europe, particularly their victory in the Europa League. “That win lifted the weight of past finals lost; it made the team feel stronger,” he notes. He acknowledges that while he was initially concerned about the team’s ability to cope with injuries—especially after Scamacca’s injury—players like Retegui have quickly adapted to Gasperini’s style.
On what sets this Atalanta team apart from previous iterations, Gomez emphasizes their defensive strength: “One hundred percent. They are much stronger defensively than before—impressive for a top club.” He praises Ederson as one of Europe’s top midfielders and highlights his unique qualities compared to other players.
As for Atalanta’s tactical approach under Gasperini, Gomez sees continuity in their style but also notes subtle improvements: “It’s always Gasperini’s game; I often see Kolasinac making effective overlaps.”
Looking ahead to Atalanta’s matchup against Real Madrid, Gomez believes they have a solid chance of success. “They can hurt anyone—not just Real Madrid,” he asserts. He points out that Madrid is currently dealing with injuries and may not be at their best.
Gomez concludes with a reminder of what it takes to succeed against top teams: “Being ready for long balls is crucial; if Mbappé and Vinicius get space, they can hurt you.” His insights reflect both confidence in Atalanta’s capabilities and respect for their opponents as they prepare for this significant clash.
