The Centro Bortolotti di Zingonia was blessed by a most welcomed visit: Leonardo José Talamonti, currently enjoying Bergamo with his family, popped in to say hello. Bergamo and Atalanta are so deeply cherished in his heart of hearts that he always bears our town wherever he goes, having “enshrined” his days at Atalanta on one of his arms with a suggestive tattoo. With 87 appearances and 5 goals between 2006 and 2011, what captured the black-and-blue defender’s heart are the memories he made along the way: “Let’s not forget the feelings either! I had the chance to catch up with many dearest friends: seeing how Atalanta have evolved and witnessing both the stadium and the Centro Sportivo Bortolotti recently renewed are the rightly deserved prize to all the Bergamo people, the city and the fans altogether. There’s no denying it, here is like a second home to me. It’s always a stroll through the dearest memory lane”, these were the words of the black-and-blue former defender from Argentina.

Talamonti seized the chance for a walkabout of the Gewiss Stadium: “It gave me the goosebumps from start to finish: everything in here is brand new from the dressing rooms to the Curva. Once the renovation is over, I pledge myself to drop in and attend a match”. The Centro Bortolotti, in its new form thanks to the improvement made over the years and the opening of the Accademia Favini-Vedrai Lab, made quite an impression on Leo: “When I first came back here two years after my move from Atalanta, I only saw the new gym; today it’s a whole different story though: new indoor spaces, new facilities, new everything. Everything in here is awe-inspiring: a sporting venue of such magnitude is not for everybody”.