Atalanta lost their first three group games, conceding 11 goals in the process. Now they are welcoming Valencia to San Siro
By Neil Morris for The Gentleman Ultra
Atalanta have made a habit of defying the odds in recent years. One example was when they finished fourth in Serie A in 2017 and returned to European football for the first time in 26 years. Qualifying for this season’s
Champions League was another. Making it through to the last-16 of the competition after they had lost their first three group games was perhaps their biggest coup yet.
Halfway through the group stage, their record was abysmal: played three, lost three, scored one goal, conceded 11. A draw against
Manchester City in their fourth group game brought some pride and respectability. It gave the fans something to cheer, but they were still without a win in four matches and there seemed to be no way back for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men.