Dribble Diaries

Italian football thrives on passion, strategy, and talent development, and few clubs embody this more than Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio . Over the past decade, the Bergamo-based side has transformed from a mid-table battler into one of Europe’s most revered talent factories, consistently qualifying for European competitions and producing exciting football under Gian Piero Gasperini . The summer of 2025 included however another chapter to this continuous advancement. Atalanta affirmed the marking of Nicola Zalewski , the Polish -born Italian universal, in a €17 million exchange from Connect Milan . The move has raised eyebrows not only for its financial implications but also for what it represents tactically and strategically for both clubs. This blog unpacks the background of the player, his journey so far, the motivations behind this transfer, what Atalanta gains from it, and what it could mean for Italian football in the coming years. Nicola Zalewski: The Profile of a Rising Talent Nic...

The summer 2025 transfer window has been a theatre of high drama, but few sagas have gripped the footballing world quite like that of Ademola Lookman. The Atalanta sensation, fresh off a sensational hat-trick in the Europa League final and a standout 2024-2025 season where he bagged 15 Serie A goals and 5 assists, became the undisputed top target for Italian giants Inter Milan. Yet, what should have been a relatively straightforward transfer, given the player's clear desire to move, has devolved into a bitter public dispute, with Atalanta's steadfast refusal to budge on their €50 million valuation. At the center of this intense situation, there's a quiet but powerful memory from the past, one that's sparking Lookman's anger now, and it comes from none other than Paris Saint-Germain. For months, rumors about Inter's continued interest in Lookman kept spreading around the football world. Their initial bids, reportedly around €40 million and then an improved €42 mi...

The concrete and passion of the Cívitas Metropolitano are about to welcome a new face, one whose arrival signifies more than just another summer signing. With medical tests now scheduled and a €20 million deal reportedly agreed with Atalanta, Matteo Ruggeri is on the cusp of becoming an Atlético Madrid player. This is more than just a positional reinforcement; it's a strategic shift, a statement of intent, and possibly a subtle but fundamental extension of Diego Simeone's Cholismo philosophy. For years, Atlético Madrid has been synonymous with grit, defensive solidity, and a penchant for turning promising young talent into world-class operators, often through a baptism of fire under Simeone's demanding tutelage. Yet, recent seasons have seen a flickering desire for more fluidity, more attacking impetus, particularly from wide areas. The traditional rojiblanco full-back, a bastion of defensive diligence, is now increasingly asked to contribute in the final third. It’s here t...

The Serie A match between Atalanta and Lecce has been rescheduled until Sunday, April 27, following the death of a staff member. The Week 34 match was scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. The Salentini were already at the team hotel, preparing for the game, when they learned this morning that physiotherapist Graziano Fiorita had died. Fiorita had been with the club for over 20 years, and his abrupt death shocked the squad when they returned from the Coccaglio training camp to their base. Lecce is in sorrow. Lecce requested that the match be moved following the unexpected tragedy, and the Lega Serie A has already confirmed that it will be rescheduled for Sunday. The game starts at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) on Sunday, April 27. The death of Pope Francis had already changed the schedule for Week 34, and Saturday is a day of national mourning, therefore all games are cancelled. There will now be seven Serie A games on Sunday.

AC Milan's terrible 2024-25 Serie A season resumed on Sunday, April 20, 2025, with a 1-0 home loss to Atalanta at the San Siro. This is their tenth loss of the season, placing them in ninth position and 20 points behind city rivals Inter Milan. ​ The game-winning goal was scored in the 62nd minute by Ederson, who capitalised on a well-executed move combining Ademola Lookman and Raoul Bellanova. Despite a good first half, Milan's play dipped in the second, as they failed to pose a meaningful threat to Atalanta's goalkeeper, Marco Carnesecchi. ​ After the match, Milan manager Sérgio Conceição voiced irritation with persistent speculation regarding his future, stating that it destabilizes the team. He reiterated his loyalty to the club and concentrated on preparation for the vital Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, which ended in a 1-1 tie in the first leg. ​ Christian Pulisic, playing as a right winger in a 5-2-3 formation, had a quiet game, comple...

Roma is making headway in their talks with Gian Piero Gasperini. The Atalanta coach has issued a clear message: "Everyone wants to coach Roma, including the national team." A good opening that could lead to something concrete in the following months. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, negotiations between the coach and the Roman club are ongoing. Gasperini appears to be the leading candidate for the Giallorossi bench: the capital club values his offensive football, player development, and financial management. On the table is a five-year contract with the guarantee of adequate initial protection to get the project off the ground. Gasperini would also meet numerous well-known players in Rome, including Dybala, whom he coached in Palermo, as well as Mancini, Cristante, and Gollini, who began their careers with him in Bergamo. Without forgetting El Shaarawy, a player he has always admired and had wanted to bring to Atalanta.

Atalanta's 4-0 thumping of Juventus established a marker for the Serie A title battle. Mateo Retegui scored the first goal after the ball struck Weston McKennie's outstretched arm, giving the visitors an unexpected lead in the first half. Less than a minute into the second half, La Dea increased their lead when Retegui's attempt on goal was blocked by Lloyd Kelly and Marten de Roon scored the rebound. After Sead Kolašinac set him up with a deft backheel from the byline, Davide Zappacosta made matters worse by sweeping the ball through Kelly's legs. Before the game ended, Ademola Lookman scored a fifth goal after Dušan Vlahović's slip sent him on a driving run, making things worse for the Bianconeri. After losing a five-game winning streak, Juventus is six points behind Gian Piero Gasperini's team, who could catch up to leaders Inter when they play next week.

Gian Piero Gasperini admits Atalanta is challenging for the Scudetto after closing the gap to three points on new leaders Inter, but dismisses the Ademola Lookman controversy. 'We're all professionals.' La Dea has had a tense week after being eliminated from the Champions League play-offs by Club Brugge. Above all, there was a bitter and very public feud between the coach and Lookman over the striker's insistence on stepping up for a penalty kick, despite being what Gasp described as "one of the worst penalty takers I've ever seen." Lookman made his return to the starting lineup this evening for the first time in nearly a month, scoring two excellent goals in a 5-0 victory over Empoli. When the Nigeria international was substituted late in the game, he shook hands with assistant manager Tullio Gritti but not the head coach. "This is a team that can win or lose, but the performances have been consistently good. We won away to Verona and Como, and ...

Each season, the goal is to improve on the previous one, and some players have had a breakout season this year. From last season's underperformance to this season's spectacular performances, we've looked at five of the most improved players in European football. Mateo Retegui (Atalante) Last summer, Atalanta agreed to pay €28 million to buy Mateo Retegui from Genoa, but it's fair to say that the Bergamo club's expectations have been exceeded. Signed as a replacement for the injured Gianluca Scamacca, Atalanta may not have looked for a striker if the injury had not occurred. Retegui has not only replaced Scamacca, but also pushed Atalanta into the Scudetto race. The Argentine-born forward has 20 goals in only 22 league games for Gian Piero Gasperini's team, leading the race for the Capocannoniere title as the league's top scorer. After scoring just seven goals for Genoa in his first season in Italy, the 25-year-old has erupted in Atalanta color's. Rap...

Atalanta has won for the first time since before Christmas, and Charles De Ketelaere has played a key role, scoring another Champions League goal and assisting in the 5-0 thrashing of Sturm Graz. In doing so, he surpassed a legendary countryman from history. His two goals brought his total to nine in just seven games, surpassing international teammate Kevin De Bruyne's 2022/23 tally as the most scored by a Belgian in a single season of club football's most prestigious competition. Is CDK set to become the new KDB? Charles De Ketelaere has eight goals (4 goals, 4 assists) in seven Champions League appearances this season, equaling the highest such tally for a Belgian player 🇧🇪 in a single edition of the competition, Kevin De Bruyne, 8 in 2022-23 (2G, 6A). Impactful.    Gian Piero Gasperini's team is now within touching distance of an automatic spot in the round of 16 with one game remaining in the league phase. After winning the Europa League last year, could De Ketela...

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Atalanta attacker Mateo Retegui. According to Italian publication La Repubblica, both Aston Villa and Arsenal are interested in signing the forward for the Premier League. Retegui has been in excellent form for the Serie A leaders this season, with 12 goals in 17 league appearances. Another of Arsenal's alleged striker targets is looking for a new deal from his current club, however. According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are seeking to sign Matheus Cunha to a new contract in order to fight off transfer interest as they seek to keep their Premier League status. Arsenal full back Kieran Tierney, meanwhile, is in talks to return to his previous club Celtic. The Scotland international has struggled for game time this season, and BBC Sport reports that he has held pre-contract negotiations with the Scottish club. According to Spanish outlet Sport, Real Madrid are interested in signing Gunners central defender William Saliba, but are aware th...

Denzel Dumfries' brace helped Inter advance to the Supercoppa Italiana final with a 2-0 win against Atalanta. The halftime score was 0-0, with Inter's Lautaro Martínez missing three chances to open the scoring. However, the Nerazzurri returned after the break with a more determined concentration, and Denzel Dumfries scored a magnificent bicycle kick to put his team ahead. The Dutchman was in fine form as he finished his brace with another fantastic effort, this time a rocket into the top corner from the edge of the box. Atalanta, on the other hand, are not a team to give up easy, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side thought they had equalized through Éderson, only for the Brazilian's strike to be ruled off for offside. Inter will meet the winner of the second semi-final between Milan and Juventus, which will be played on Friday evening. The final is set for Monday evening at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.

We haven't seen a three-way Serie A title contest in a long time. It appears that the Scudetto run-in this season will be extremely close. As the calendar year finale approaches, the top three are separated by just three points. Many fans utilize online betting sites to assess the odds in what looks to be one of the most exciting title chases in recent Serie A history because of the extremely narrow margins at stake. Atalanta and Napoli are still very much in the running for the title, together with the defending champions and clear favorites Inter. Gian Piero Gasperini's team could, in fact, conclude the year as the leaders. But in their final 2024 match, they have to defeat Lazio, another top-four challenger. Napoli would be able to take the lead if Atalanta were to suffer a setback at Stadio San Siro. Antonio Conte's team is just two points behind La Dea going into their seemingly straightforward home matchup with relegation-threatened Venezia. Third-place Inter has ...

After conducting internal assessments, Manchester United has determined that Ederson, a star midfield player for Atalanta, would be a perfect addition to the team and is thinking of increasing their interest in the player. In recent months, the Brazilian has drawn interest from a number of European powerhouses, including Liverpool, after establishing himself as one of the most complete midfielders on the global scene. Ederson is certain to attract more interest from Manchester United. Nonetheless, Tuttomercatoweb reports that internal talks between scouts and directors have identified him as the perfect successor for Casemiro, and the Red Devils are very keen to get him to Old Trafford. Manchester United is anticipated to approach La Dea shortly to start negotiations for next summer as a result of their heightened interest in the 25-year-old in recent weeks. Given their current 11-game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of Serie A and their near-certain Champions Leag...

Real Madrid defeated Atalanta 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, but it was not a perfect evening for the defending champions, as they suffered more injury problems, including Kylian Mbappe's removal in the first half due to a suspected muscular problem. Carlo Ancelotti spoke after the encounter in Bergamo (via Diario AS) and provided an encouraging update on Mbappe's condition. "He has an overload, causing hamstring soreness. We'll see in the next several days. He had to stop due to his inability to sprint, which disturbed him slightly. So we'd rather pull him off." Ancelotti also discussed the encounter, which resulted in Real Madrid's third Champions League victory of the season. "It was a difficult contest, but the victory was significant. We present our best version: suffering, struggling, and competing. We had tremendous ball output and a good game from our forwards, who were quite mobile. Everything went well. Obviously, we must suffer;...

After Milan's 2-1 loss to Atalanta, Paulo Fonseca blamed the referee for his dissatisfaction, claiming there is 'a lack of respect' for his team. "I am revolted by this situation." The coach was furious on the touchline and received a yellow card for dissent after the opening goal, believing Charles De Ketelaere had pushed Theo Hernandez while nodding in the Marten de Roon free kick. Alvaro Morata equalized, then Christian Pulisic withdrew with a calf injury, but Ademola Lookman was completely unmarked for a free header at the back post on a corner, giving Atalanta a 2-1 victory. "In the second half, we didn't get the ball to the forwards enough, leaving Rafa and Morata isolated," Fonseca explained to Sky Sport Italia. "At the end of the day, we lost the game after two set plays. The first half was excellent, but in the second, we lacked that connection with the strikers. I believe we deserved more tonight; it was difficult to accept surrende...

According to Florian Plettenberg, Odilon Kossounou and Nordi Mukiele will have their medicals later today. According to recent reports, Bayer Leverkusen is aiming to unload Kossounou before the transfer season closes. However, while it appeared like the centre-back might be destined for a Premier League club, Atalanta soon arranged a deal with Die Werkself to secure his signing. This has left Xabi Alonso's team in need of a replacement for the outgoing 23-year-old. Nonetheless, the German champions had already picked Mukiele, a Paris Saint-Germain defender, as the best successor to Kossounou. According to the source, all parties have agreed on loan moves for the respective players, and deals for Kossounou and Mukiele should be completed soon. Kossounou is scheduled to have his physical with Atalanta later today before completing his move to the Serie A club, while Mukiele will also have his medical with Werkself, as the 26-year-old is ready to return to the Bundesliga.

El-Bilal Toure of Atalanta currently appears to be set to join Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart after the two clubs finally agreed on the terms of the buy option included in the player's loan agreement. Atalanta and Stuttgart finalize Toure arrangements. According to rumors on Monday, Atalanta and Stuttgart had been negotiating the buy option in the transaction, despite having previously signed an agreement in principle for the player. Atalanta wanted it to be an obligation to make the move permanent, although Stuttgart had considered an optional buy clause. According to transfer analyst Fabrizio Romano, the two clubs have now reached an agreement on a loan deal with a necessary buy option. Toure is consequently anticipated to join the Bundesliga at an initial cost of €4 million for the season. The Germans will then pay a further €18 million plus €2 million in add-ons, as well as a 15% sell-on clause, to ensure the move is permanent. Stuttgart and Toure had previously agreed on pe...

The traditional start to the European football season is finally over, and Real Madrid demonstrated why they are the continent's monarchs with a 2-0 triumph over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup. Here is our interpretation of happenings in Warsaw. Mbappé scores the first of many for Madrid. It simply had to happen, didn't it? After all of the hype surrounding his long-awaited Real Madrid debut, Kylian Mbappé scored after just 68 minutes. The French superstar struggled to get going in the first half, as did the majority of his colleagues, which was understandable given that it was tournament summer and they had only returned to training in the prior week. There was a nutmeg in the first half that demonstrated that the 25-year-old was here to perform, and his big moment came after 68 minutes, when he fired home from inside the box following superb work from Jude Bellingham. Following the game, Mbappé set a goal-scoring aim of 50 for the season, demonstrating his unwavering confi...