Athletic fans set for Italian takeover as Bergamo Champions League trip looms
Bilbao supporters heading to Atalanta with limited tickets available, but local fan club 'Los Leones Italianos' organizing full itinerary for traveling faithful
Athletic Club supporters are gearing up for a massive Italian job as Valverde’s men prepare for Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against Atalanta.
Ticket shortage but fans undeterred
Despite only 986 official away tickets being available (from a staggering 8,113 applications), thousands of Athletic supporters are expected to descend upon Bergamo. The club reserved 318 tickets for sponsors and commitments, but many fans who’d already booked travel will now find themselves without stadium access.
Not to worry though - the local Athletic supporters’ club has stepped up to the plate.
Los Leones Italianos to the rescue
The Italian branch of Athletic’s fan base, boasting around 150 members spread throughout Italy, has taken responsibility for organizing a proper Basque experience in Bergamo. They’ve arranged:
- Guided tours of Bergamo’s Ciudad Alta (Upper City) on Tuesday at 11:25 and 15:25, limited to 50 people who must wear something “zurigorri” (red and white) to identify themselves
- A special walking football match on Wednesday morning - part of Athletic’s tradition when visiting European opponents
- The ceremonial planting of an oak tree (a nod to Bilbao’s famous Guernica Oak)
- A massive fan gathering at Piazzale degli Alpini (near the train and bus station) from 5pm on matchday, with shuttle buses to the stadium
No ticket? No problem!
For the thousands without a golden ticket to the game itself, the Italian supporters’ club has organized a viewing party at Circolo Arci al Bafo in nearby Seriate, ensuring no traveling fan misses the action.
This isn’t the first rodeo for Los Leones Italianos. Last season they supported the team during their Europa League trip to Roma and later traveled to Lezama to celebrate their 25th anniversary as a supporters’ club.
With Athletic’s Champions League campaign hanging in the balance, the atmosphere promises to be electric both inside and outside the stadium. Talk about having your bread buttered on both sides - these Italian-based Basque fans are proving themselves proper diamonds.