U16s: coach Gambirasio’s interview following the Scudetto win

"Winning this title is a source of unfathomable joy". After the final whistle Alessio Gambirasio, Atalanta U16s' manager, couldn't bottle up the overflowing joy from winning the first historic title. "It will take us a couple of days before finally realizing what we have accomplished. Plus, receiving a congratulatory call from President Percassi himself at the end of the game to praise and acknowledge our job was both a surprise and a gratification in a league of its own. We couldn't be more overjoyed at bringing the first-ever U16s Scudetto back in Zingonia and at having etched our names, in our small way, in history in the process. The lads have been spotless: this was, is and always will be a choral victory after all".

After defeating Milan in the final, Atalanta put the black-and-blue brooch on a path that saw the Nerazzurri knock out the likes of Roma and Inter: "When you lift a title after edging past such prominent contenders, you are certain you truly deserved it. I couldn't put my finger on whether or not we were the strongest side overall; but we showed grit and resilience in these 'finals' and that's all that matters. If you manage to turn around the games like we did against Roma, Inter and Milan despite trailing, it means you have much going in for you. The final was the summation of our road to the title, which had us play catch up time and again. Nonetheless, the strength of this group truly shone in those instances. The main turning point was losing away at Cagliari in December, when we came off worst after leading 2-0 and being on top of the game for the whole match but the last 6 minutes. It was our sixth defeat in the first half of the season. Yet we lacked but a push to finally make that leap forward and that setback awoke something in the lads. From our little heart-to-heart, we closed ranks and we racked up an almost spotless run, apart from the setback against Roma in the quarterfinals' first leg, which stood us in good stead in the end and gave us that boost for the final rush".

"This win goes to literally everybody - in his words, coach Gambirasio wished to share his joy with all those who accompanied the team on this journey - and the final hug with my whole staffing is a testament to all the sacrifices we've made throughout all these years. I wish to acknowledge all the people who have carried out our work shoulder to shoulder, they surely have played a key part in this success".

"I heartily thank all the parents, all our friends and everyone who made it all the way to San Benedetto to support the team, who may have dialed in 1,200 kilometers in their odometer despite having to work the following day. Last but not least, thanks and thoughts are due to my family: namely, to my wife Silvia and to my sons Davide and Noemi, who have always stood by my side and propped me up every step of the way".

"To me - thus ends the coach - this win holds a particular value. Being native of Zingonia, I live and breathe Atalanta. Given that while I moved my first steps here as an Academy player I couldn't get a chance to either win any silverware nor make it pro, coming back here under a coaching guise and then winning the league felt like coming full circle. I may have not fulfilled my childhood dream of becoming a player, but as a player I achieved something even greater".