U16s Scudetto: Samaden, Finardi & Pinardi’s take

The Academy's season ended on a paramount high: winning the first historic Under-16s league title.

“We wish to share this success with the ownership, with all the people who have contributed to the nurturing of these lads with their everyday work here at the Academy and with our fans, who have stood by our side no matter what and wherever we went". These were Roberto Samaden's opening remarks who closed his first season as Head of Youth Academy at Atalanta BC with a title. “I am particularly pleased that this victory was delivered by a group that, for its vast majority, comprises players from Lombardy, many of them native of Bergamo and its province: this will be an example to follow. The recipe behind it all was that we never obsessed over the final outcome but we rather orientated our framework on the development of our Academy players, which is the main and sole priority of any Academy. In my view, this should be the leading spirit and I really enjoyed how coach Gambirasio stressed it right after the game, despite the heat of the moment. He and his whole staff did an amazing job, there's no other way to put it. And I'd also like to think that Mino Favini himself was somehow celebrating with us from high above".

In the words of Giancarlo Finardi, Deputy Head of the Academy: "It was a much-deserved win that culminated a gauntlet of fledgling games in which we always showed a proactive playing style. When we got back to the dressing room I applauded the whole team and personally acknowledged each and every single player, with special attention to those with shorter playing time, because they were all involved and on board. Seeing those who were unused subs or those who didn't feature in the squad list rushing onto the pitch to celebrate was a pleasant sight. One of coach Gambirasio's main strengths also lies in his policy of giving enough time to the whole roster. He did a superb job, and not just in that regard but foremost in his ability to rally around the team in times of need to spur a comeback".

On the same note, Alex Pinardi, Technical Director of the Academy's Attività Agonistica, wished to convey all his glee: "It surely was a great satisfaction for every body involved. Furthermore, the key part of the whole process is that this achievement stems from the team's progressive and seamless growth. After an erratic start, which is a knee-jerk effect whenever you adopt  a new work method, the lads eventually took the necessary steps, which led to the team picking up.  And the main upshot of all this process is that they have a boundless scope for improvement. We're hopeful some of them will achieve great things and make it to the first team: after all, this is the main duty of any Youth System. Credits are due to the coach and his staffing in bringing the team together and helping them close ranks: such growth is an undeniable consequence of what happens when a whole group pulls its weight and strives for a common goal without ever holding back. I wish to acknowledge everyone for their commitment:  while it surely was a very good year, our aim is to keep on improving".