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Atalanta to Play Athletic Club in Friendly Match in Bergamo

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Atalanta are set to welcome Athletic Club to Bergamo for a pre-season friendly, marking the finale of the Bortolotti Trophy. The match offers both clubs a chance to fine-tune their squads before the competitive season begins.

Head coach Terzic has named a 23-man squad for the fixture, giving an early look at the players who could feature prominently once official matches get underway. Naming a squad this size allows the coaching staff flexibility to rotate players and assess form.

Supporters eager to follow the action will be able to watch the match live on television, as well as through live streaming services available online. Full details on broadcast options have been made available by sports outlets ahead of kickoff.

As is customary before any match, the official lineups for both Atalanta and Athletic Club — also known as Athletic Bilbao — will be confirmed shortly before the game begins, revealing which players will start.

The Bortolotti Trophy serves as a pre-season tournament, giving clubs the opportunity to test tactics, build match fitness, and evaluate new signings in a competitive but low-pressure environment. Such friendlies are a common part of the football calendar across Europe during the off-season.

Athletic Club will serve as Atalanta's final opponent in this year's edition of the trophy, closing out their pre-season preparations. While friendlies do not carry the same weight as official league or cup fixtures, they remain closely watched by fans keen to gauge their team's readiness for the season ahead.

Vocabulary7 words

friendly
a match played for practice, not for a prize
squad
the full group of players a team can choose from
live streaming
watching video online at the same time it happens
lineups
the players officially chosen to start a game
pre-season
the period of preparation before the season starts
opponent
the rival team in a match
fixture
a scheduled sports match

Quiz

1. What is the purpose of the Bortolotti Trophy according to the article?
2. Which club is also referred to as Athletic Bilbao?
3. True or False: The article states that friendlies carry the same weight as official league matches.

Discussion questions

  1. What advantages do pre-season friendlies offer coaches and players?
  2. Why might fans still be interested in a match that doesn't count toward league standings?
  3. How does naming a large squad, like the 23 players here, help a coach prepare for the season?
  4. In what ways do live streaming services change how fans experience sports today?

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