The new talents from Zingonia made their mark in Warsaw as Marco Palestra and Alberto Manzoni both took to the field against Real Madrid for a few crucial minutes. Despite Atalanta’s 2-0 loss, the display showed promise, and it seems likely we’ll be hearing more about these young players in the future.
Marco Palestra, a dynamic winger, and Alberto Manzoni, who traded a promising future in gymnastics to pursue football, each made their debuts after spending last season with the Under-23 squad. Palestra, who turns 20 in March, took to the right flank and despite only getting a handful of minutes, he was greeted with applause from the fans, signifying a bright future ahead. He’s expected to split his time between the Serie C and the first team, having previously debuted in the Europa League against Rakow, under coach Gian Piero Gasperini, where he impressed with three goals and three assists in 36 appearances last season.
Palestra’s journey to Atalanta can be traced back through his football heritage; his grandfather was a former defender for Inter’s youth team. He was initially noticed by a scout after a tournament, which led to his father’s conversation with the club. Palestra appreciates how Atalanta’s youth setup has nurtured him, teaching him respect and humility. His transition to playing as a winger moved him emotionally, recalling how he cried during his first appearance in that position after being instructed to fill the role when needed.
Meanwhile, Manzoni’s journey has been equally remarkable. If the famous writer he shares a name with were to write about last night’s game, it might begin with “That night in the Warsaw stadium…” Unlike the branching narratives of *I Promessi Sposi*, Manzoni has realized a significant dream: debuting for Atalanta against Real Madrid. In another life, he could have just come from the Paris Olympics as a gymnastics medalist, showcasing his previous talent in artistic gymnastics before committing fully to football.
Born in Treviglio and raised close to Zingonia, Manzoni has a multilingual background, fluent in French, English, and Spanish, thanks to his studies in language school and influence from his older brother, who taught him how to shoot a ball. Starting off as a forward, Manzoni has successfully adapted to various positions, eventually settling into a promising role as a central midfielder. He now looks set to make an impact for Atalanta, aiming to build on a season with nine goals and five assists in 31 matches for the Under-23 team.
Both Palestra and Manzoni illustrate Atalanta’s commitment to developing young talent, and although the result against Real Madrid wasn’t favorable, the excitement surrounding these new players suggests that brighter days lie ahead for the Bergamaschi.
