Atalanta’s squad just got a significant boost as we headed into the fall.
Club Boss Gian Piero Gasperini has shared that Nicolo Zaniolo and Ibrahim Sulemana are back at training. The timing could not have come at a better time, as the club had gotten off to a shaky start, losing two of their first three matches. While they may not finish atop Serie A this season, the return of the pair of players makes them an exciting club to watch.
With their two young players back, Atalanta will have a chance to add some crucial wins. Their upcoming schedule offers many winnable matches, except for a UEFA Champions League matchup against Arsenal later this month.
The club hopes that a healthy roster will help replicate its success from the previous season when Atalanta finished fourth in the Serie A table.
All Eyes on Nicolo Zaniolo
While both players have promise, winger Nicolo Zaniolo is drawing the most attention from fans and experts across Europe. The 25-year-old is on loan from Super Lig Club Galatasaray but has only played in one match for his new club. He made his Serie A debut back in 2018 with Roma, leading to Zaniolo being named the Serie A Young Player of the Year.
Unfortunately, the promising young midfielder ran into significant injury issues starting in the following season. Zaniolo suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament in 2020 that kept him out for around six months. He looked great after returning from injury but once again injured his anterior cruciate ligament in September 2020.
Zaniolo struggled after returning from injury. He found himself working on his fitness, thanks partly to the physical play of Serie A opponents. He dealt with thigh and shoulder injuries, eventually leading him to depart Roma to sign with Galatasaray of the Super Lig.
While some worried that the promising young player’s career could be brought to a premature end, that wasn’t the case. Zaniolo thrived with his new club, helping to lead them to a league championship. His play led to him being loaned out to Aston Villa, where he enjoyed some initial success but ran into issues over a gambling scandal while with the Italian National Team. Not long after dealing with that, he suffered yet another major injury when he broke his metatarsal, leading to him missing UEFA Euro 2024.
That long and challenging road led to Zaniolo eventually joining Atalanta on loan.
There is no question that the young player has the potential to be a star, which is why he remains a fixture on the national team. However, it appears the injuries are not going away anytime soon.
If healthy, Zaniolo has the talent to help elevate this club to another top-five finish in Serie A.
Related: UCL: Atalanta Boss Gasperini Praises Lookman For Defensive Work Against Arsenal
Club Hopes Sulemana Will Bolster Defense
While Zaniolo has grabbed much of the attention this week, don’t forget about 21-year-old defenseman Ibrahim Sulemana. The young player just appeared in a June World Cup Qualifier with the Ghanaian National Team. He only got on the pitch briefly, but the experience will help the young player develop.
Atalanta originally had eyes on the young defender and included him on their U17 team. The club did not sign him after a couple of years, leading to him eventually signing a four-year deal with Serie A club Cagliari. The Ghanian defender turned a lot of heads over 16 matches, leading to him being transferred to Atalanta in July.
Sulemana’s role with his new club is still unknown but expect to see him spending plenty of time on the pitch. He gives Atalanta a piece to build a defense around over the next few years.
Gasperini and New Players Make Atalanta Tempting Bet
With the Serie A season now underway, many bettors are turning their attention to Atalanta. The club has finished in the top five of the leagues in two consecutive seasons, and its current roster suggests it could do so again.
We talked a lot about Zaniolo and Sulemana above, which is a big reason why so many people are wagering on the club to have a big season at the best betting sites. Zaniolo’s injury history makes him a wildcard, but if he can stay on the pitch, it would give the club two of the most exciting young players in Serie A.
In addition to their talent, the club also has one of the top bosses in the league: Gian Piero Gasperini. He has helped rebuild the club since coming on board in 2016, turning it into an annual contender almost immediately.
The combination of a successful veteran coach and young, promising talent is the recipe for many wins, which could land the club an elusive Serie A title.
