Saturday the 30th of September marked a historic day for the “Atalanta For Special” side: the Atalanta team took part in a series of test matches to assess the overall technical ability for the drafting in the most suitable Paralympic championship. The initiative was arranged entirely by the Paralympic and Experimental Football Department of the FIGC and hosted at the Bettinelli Sports Centre in Milan.
After an early wake-up, the Atalanta for Special side departed from Nembro at 07:00 CEST, ecstatic and as eager as anyone could be without hiding a much due hint of stage fright.
For the try-outs mentioned above, the Bettinelli Sports Centre in Milan welcomed over 30 teams, attending on behalf of their head Clubs.
All 22 Atalanta For Special players hit the pitch for two test matches of 15 minutes each: as per regulations, it is mandatory for the full roster to accrue some playing time.
The maiden match against Lainate saw the latter eventually impose themselves 2-1 as Paolo Valota’s momentary equaliser for Atalanta did not suffice to turn the game around.
After the break-in match, all the pent-up tension, concern and anxiety eventually subsided!
In their second match of the day, Atalanta For Special took on the Insuperabili (The Unrivaled) from Milan: the Nerazzurri clinched a 2-0 victory, with Gianmarco Masserini’s brace embellishing a solid choral performance of the team!
In addition to our players, the Atalanta for Special contingent also comprised the likes of: Lucia Castelli, head pedagogue at Atalanta BC, Gianmario Lesmo, head coach and project manager, and Roberto Birolini, Aurelio Birolini and Leonardo Marcassoli (executives and chaperones). Last but not least, the trial was also graced by the presence of parents-supporters attending en masse.
Atalanta For Special’s next appointment is scheduled for Saturday, October 7, from 10:00 CEST to 16:00 CEST, in Chignolo d’Isola for the second edition of the Equalgame tournament.
Among others, Accademia Isola Bergamasca, Inter, Parma, Cagliari, Milan, and Varese will also attend the event. No doubt a spectacle is in the cards!
