Since returning to the top flight in 2011-12, Atalanta have consistently exceeded expectations by finishing comfortably in mid-table each season, with last season being their strongest yet by coming only four points from the top-half of the table and briefly looking as if they might trouble the Europa League places.
2014-2015 Serie A preview: Mid-table expected again for Atalanta
Atalanta had a strong season in 2013-14, coming in 11th in Serie A. They will be looking for a repeat performance this season, with dreams of breaking into the top half of the table.
Claudio Villa
The brief will once again be to secure their Serie A status, but with a highly experienced side, there’s no reason they can’t build on last year’s fine showing and possible nose their way into the top half of the table.
Key player
Germán Denis
After indifferent spells at Napoli and Udinese, Il Tanque has found his home in Bergamo, top-scoring for La Dea in each of his three seasons with the club. Whilst Rolando Bianchi has come in to try and ease the goalscoring burden, still expect Denis to be the man Atalanta look to for most of their scoring.
Key departures and arrivals
In: Marco D'Alessandro, Yohan Benalouane, Giuseppe Biava, Boukary Dramé, Rolando Bianchi, Richmond Bokaye, Nicolo Cherubin.
Out: Marko Livaja, Simone Colombi, Stefano Lucchini, Mario Yepes, Franco Brienza.
Reasons to watch
They could conceivably play a back four with a combined age of 140: Lionel Scaloni, Giuseppe Biava, Guglielmo Stendardo and Gianpaolo Bellini. Were it not for the departure of Mario Yepes, this would be a staggering 145.
Where they might finish
Very much in mid-table, maybe just breaking into the top half.
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