They just click... Its an amazing job done by Gasperini as the Team is way higher than the sum of all individual players.. Players like Hateboer, de Roon, Gosens were relatively mediocre prospects in the Eredivisie, where none of Ajax Feyenoord, PSV, AZ ever look at them as potential targets..
Their scouting is absolutely incredible as Gasperini developed a system where he knows exactly what he expects in each position and managed to bring that to the players where they all know exaclty what is expected of them.. Its a system designed to let their creative players excel, and at the same time play with enormous pressure on the opposition..
Huge compliment to whole organization and to Gasperini..
I dont think the bigger clubs should fall into the trap thinking all those players are suddenly word class.. Someone like Gosens is no where near good enough to play leftback on the highest (Champions League) level in a system with only 2 CB's.. Same holds for Hateboer on the right...
Papu Gomez and Ilicic are obviously very very skilled players and when given the freedom they need they are good enough to make a difference on a very high level.. But the question is.. Would they at a top club be granted the same level of freedom and the same status, to excel in the same way as they do at Atalanta? I dont think so... (Similar to I think Depay who is able to excel at Lyon, but wouldnt make it at a Real Madrid, Juve, Chelsea, United where he would just be one of the attackers..)