Academy: Pinardi introduces the framework of the Attività Agonistica

With the Primavera entering their first weeks of training, all other Academy sides have been catching up with the preparation. Alex Pinardi, the newly appointed Technical Manager for the Attività Agonistica (U15s to U18s team)s of the Academy, cared to enlarge on the upcoming steps of the framework: "After the Primavera, the Under 18 has started the preseason gathering today and will be followed suit by three further teams: namely, the Under 17 on the 2^nd of August, the U16s on August 11 and the U15s on the 16^th of August. The process will follow a staggered framework, with the first step being a chance to get together. The first few days will be devoted to recovering the feeling with the pitch and with the team, while also staving off any injury. Many friendly matches against on-par oppositions have been arranged to ensure proper formative experiences through the right degree of difficulty. The more they play, the more they get to know each other: there's no better way to ease the learning curve than a match".

The common traits bringing all teams together are the values and working ethos deeply enshrined in the black-and-blue Academy: "All teams will follow a specific guideline: trying to always assess a dominant playing style regardless of the opponent and without ever sacrificing our own identity. Hence, following the modus operandi so deeply enrooted in the DNA of Atalanta's Academy. In order to pursue this goal, we are bound to focus our training on the technical component, especially if we want to nurture and train youngsters capable of having a deep understanding of the various situations once they grow up. I want all our lads not to be held back by the fear of mistaking, to be willing to dare, to be confident in their own means; naturally without indulging in presumption and while being accountable for their actions. Personally, I favour teams with a proclivity for an imposing playing style and avoidant of any speculative stance. The work of any Academy revolves around the improvement and growth of the players rather than the sheer outcomes. As with any formative labour, time and patience are of the essence, but that's what we are here for. Besides, the fact that all coaches, from the  U18s all the way to the U15s, have come through the Academy when they were players themselves; and this plays a differential factor in our goals of upholding the legacy of Atalanta and of creating a strong sense of identity in all our players".

The novelty this year entails the chance given to all the Academy squads to attend weeklong training camps in different locations of the Bergamasco territory:  "I wish to tender my most heartfelt thanks for letting us arrange summer training camps extended to all Academy teams. Not only will said camps play a key role in gaining a deeper understanding; but they will also be a testimony to our commitment to the local territory. The schedule will observe the following framework: the U18s will spend in Selvino the week from 4/8 to 11/8, the U17s  and the U16s will stay in Serina from 5/8 to 12/8 and from 18/8 to 25/8 respectively and the Under 15 will stay in Lovere fro the 18th to the 23rd of August".