Atalanta

The Case For Them

Atalanta work as a second team because they come with their own geography: Italy, New Balance Arena, and a set of rivalries you will absorb faster than you expect.

• You get a nickname

  Known as La Dea (The Goddess) Gli Orobici (The Orobics) I Nerazzurri (The Black and Blues. That is your new shorthand, your search term and your excuse for buying a scarf.

• The calendar you inherit

  Following Italy Serie A means odd kick-off hours, a new commentary language and a table you will check before your own club's. Italy becomes part of your week.

• Old enough to matter

  1907 is the founding date, old enough that the club has survived a war, a rebuild and at least one financial scare, young enough that the good years are still in living memory.

• Nothing won, everything to play for

  No major honours on record, which means every cup run is uncharted territory and every promotion feels like a coronation.