Atalanta BC (Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, sometimes called Atalanta Bergamo) is an Italian football club based in Bergamo. Nicknamed the Nerazzurri. They play in blue-and-black vertically striped shirts, black shorts and black socks. The club stadium is the dilapidated 26,638 seater Atleti Azzurri d'Italia .

The club was founded in 1907. A football club had existed in Bergamo since 1904, founded by Swiss emigrants, it was known as FC Bergamo. The rival Atalanta club grew out of a division between different sporting socities in the town, the name is taken from the female athlete of Greek mythology. The FIGC was unimpressed with the new club and did not officially recognize them until 1914. Despite the potential rivalry, the two Bergamo clubs merged in 1920 as Atalanta Bergamasca di Ginnastica e Scherma 1907. The team moved to the site of the current ground, on the Via Pitentino, in 1928.

Atalanta joined the Italian league in 1929. The club first reached Serie A in 1937, but waas relegated immediately. The club returned in 1940 and remained in A until 1959; after a single season in Serie B the club was promoted and lasted a further decade in A, before relegation in 1973 led to an uncertain period of promotion and relegation between the two levels. The club achieved its highest position in 1948, finishing 5th. In 1981 the club fell into Serie C1, a blow which revitalised the club. The team returned to B the next season and made it back to A in 1985. The club's form in Serie A remains uncertain, as it was relegated in 1988, 1995 and 1998, but they were there more often than not.

In terms of titles the club has won little, their sole silverware is the 1963 Coppa Italia. The club has had very few good runs in Europe, the best spell ending in a Cup Winners' Cup semi-final in 1988.

The club has had very few famous players. However, Atalanta has been proved to run a successful youth system, producing footballers like Roberto Donadoni, Alessio Tacchinardi , Ivan Pelizzoli, and Domenico Morfeo who have quickly been grabbed by the bigger clubs. Other players who have graced the Atleti Azzurri d'Italia include Cristiano Doni, Filippo Inzaghi, Adriano Bassetto , Gianni Comandini and Stefano Angeleri .

Current first team squad

As of February 2005

External link

• Official Atalanta BC Site