When the referee blew the whistle for the end, more than the shouts, the songs (there will be a whole night for those) there were cry. Among the thousands present in the square – the Municipality counted 15 thousand — there are those who started minutes before, when they realized it was really happening. At 10.51pm on 22 May 2024, geographical Bergamo and wherever a Bergamo heart beats had an emotional collapse. For the long wait, for a desire so strong that it makes every fiber tremble, for being incredibly happy.
«We did it, it couldn’t have happened but instead it happened», says a fan in tears. He is only one, but he speaks for everyone. This time, they were sure, it would be a Real Atalanta, which is why so many came to the centre. Because, as Guardiola said, “playing against Atalanta is like going to the dentist”. And the heart ached on the eve, like a molar at the thought that things could go wrong for the umpteenth time, the anxiety, the worry of sitting in the armchair or standing in front of the giant screen were identical. A little anesthesia would be needed to neutralize the agitation that had continued to rise well above the alert level. It was time for the drip of emotions that had accompanied everyone in the last few days, the fixed thoughts of work, family and friends, to end. We are not made of iron and neither are our coronary arteries.
It was time to remove this tooth called the Europa League final, hoping that it was that of the footballing judgment of a mature Atalanta. Any feeling was amplified, for the umpteenth time in front of the giant screens, this time two, which have become the totem of the Nerazzurri tribe, hoisted against yet another afternoon monsoon, to ward off the evening rain. Flags, chants, smoke bombs, families, kids in official t-shirts, even dogs on leashes. Everyone present, to be able to say “I was there too”, because this was supposed to be everyone’s victory. Of the whole city, of a people, of those who have waited for this moment just to get a hug that has been awaited for over a hundred years of Nerazzurri history.
Never happened before. The roar of joy at Lookman’s first goal it tears the sky above Bergamo which begins to remember that of Berlin with the choirs rising very high and dozens of smoke bombs as well. The real Atalanta is back. The doubling of the ferret arrives and happiness begins to overflow like electricity that tarantulates everyone. There is still one more shot to be experienced in apnea, but not too much because the Goddess is spinning at full speed and the Germans are caged. And with Lookman’s third paw, everything starts to shake.
«I was afraid of dying before experiencing happiness as great as this», an older fan lets slip. They all wanted this night, but were afraid it would never come. The cup is raised to the sky, visible, concrete, the reward of many battles, the hope of escape from a world dominated by sacrifice for many. The joy will last weeks, months, it will be a reserve of strength to draw on in the seasons and championships to come. But this May 22nd will remain in the memories as the Nerazzurri Christmas. Those are real tears that flow. Of extraordinary and deserved happiness.
