“Atalanta are a team with a very modern approach to the game,” said head coach Gerardo Seoane after the draw at his press conference before the Bundesliga home game against Arminia Bielefeld on 26 February. “It’ll be an exciting and tough task against Atalanta.” The Italians’ performances from recent years confirms that expectation.
Based in the city of Bergamo in the northern Lombardy region, Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio – as the club is now known – traces its roots back to 1907. It is named after the female athlete Atalanta of Greek mythology. They have spent over 60 seasons in Serie A but are yet to be champions of Italy. Nicknamed La Dea (The Goddess), their best finish was in 2018/19 when they came third. They went on to repeat that feat in the following two seasons. Atalanta have finished in the top half of the table in each of the last five years. And that positive development is inextricably linked with one man.
That is head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. The 64-year-old joined from Genoa for the 2016/17 season. The former midfielder (59 Serie A appearances) began his coaching career in the Juventus academy. His first senior position as head coach was at Crotone. He’s since had spells in charge of Genoa, Inter Milan, Palermo, Genoa again before coming to Atalanta. Gasperini was named Serie A Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2020.
The best-known name in the Atalanta team from a German perspective actually left the club in January, with Robin Gosens moving to Inter. But the squad remains full of real quality even without the left-back. Mario Pasalic, Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler are key in midfield. Top scorer is Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, but he’s been out with a muscle strain of late.
Atalanta’s home ground is the Gewiss Stadium, known in European competition as the Stadio di Bergamo. Opened in 1928, the club acquired the stadium in 2017. It is located in the north of Bergamo and can currently hold just under 20,000 spectators due to construction work.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen have extended midfielder Noah Mbamba’s contract by twelve months and sent the Belgian U21 international on loan to France. At FC Lorient, the 21-year-old – whose contract at Leverkusen now runs to 30 June 2029 – is set to gain playing time in Ligue 1 and, through strong performances and further development, put himself in the running for a future place in the Werkself squad.
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Spurred on by a flawless hat-trick from Cornelia Kramer, the Bayer 04 women’s team won their penultimate pre-season friendly in commanding fashion. As part of the season launch, the Werkself beat Dutch top-flight side Feyenoord 7–0. In front of 3,000 spectators at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, Kramer (6’, 25’, 45’), Sofie Zdebel (47’), Maja Sternad (59'), Natasha Kowalski (83') and Vanessa Fudalla (86') scored the goals for coach Roberto Pätzold’s side.
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The Shareholders’ Committee of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH has extended the contracts of the two managing directors, Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, ahead of schedule. The CEO, Fernando Carro (62), will continue in his role until 30 June 2029, and managing director sport Simon Rolfes (44) will remain in post until 30 June 2031.
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There’s plenty for Bayer 04 fans to enjoy both on and off the pitch at the official 2026 season launch. In addition to the women’s team taking on Feyenoord at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium at 13:15 CEST and the men’s team facing Sevilla at the BayArena at 15:30 CEST, fans of all ages can enjoy a range of activities – and get to meet Bayer 04 players and former players in the process. The Fanwelt is also offering a special promotion: buy a new shirt and get free printing! Here’s an overview of everything you need to know about the season launch, including the live streams.
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