“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 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
Show more
The Bayer 04 Women welcome FC Carl Zeiss Jena to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday night in a white retro look - and in a unique Bayer 04 ‘50 Years of Fan Clubs’ special edition jersey. In sporting terms, head coach Roberto Pätzold's team will face the Bundesliga's bottom team at 18:30 CET looking to keep their chances of third place in the table alive with six games left to play.
Show more
Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action this weekend. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the Werkself are away to FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 27. Ahead of the clash in the eastern Swabian Alps, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the fixture and the chances of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
Show more
A quick look at the table shows the situation at FC Heidenheim is serious. The Bundesliga bottom club are already ten points behind the play-off spot with their backs to the wall in sporting terms. With eight games left to play, avoiding relegation appears to be a mission impossible. Nevertheless, they are far from flying the white flag at the Schlossberg ahead of the clash with the Werkself this Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
Show more
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the two strikers in the immediate future. Caroline Kehrer suffered a torn ligament in her right knee and Amy Wrigge tore her cruciate ligament.
Show more
