Leffe
The history of AlbinoLeffe: from the early years to Serie C
Unione Calcio AlbinoLeffe, simply known as AlbinoLeffe, is an Italian football team that represents the municipalities of Albino and Leffe, in the province of Bergamo. They are currently competing in Serie C, the third division of Italian football. The team was founded in 1998 through the merger between Albinese Calcio and Società Calcio Leffe, assuming the federal registration number of the latter and continuing its sporting tradition. The club's offices are located in Zanica, also in the Bergamo area.
The predecessors of the team were Albinese, founded in 1919 and also known as Circolo Sportivo Falco, and Leffe, affiliated with the Italian Football Federation in 1947. Leffe boasted a Coppa Italia Dilettanti victory in 1981-1982 and the victory of the 1984-1985 Interregional Championship. In 1998, both clubs managed to avoid relegation in the Serie C2 division, and the merger between the two became necessary due to the geographical proximity of the two municipalities and the risk of Albinese failing.
In the summer of 2001, Elio Gustinetti replaced the previous coach, Oscar Piantoni. AlbinoLeffe won the Coppa Italia Serie C in 2002, defeating Rimini for the highest number of goals scored in away games. In June 2003, the team qualified for Serie B after winning the play-offs against Calcio Padova and Pisa Sporting Club, securing a historic promotion.
The rise of AlbinoLeffe in the 2000s
The team's debut season in the second division saw an unprecedented derby with Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, with Atalanta winning 2-1 on September 13, 2003. The team finished eighteenth in the league, but managed to avoid relegation play-offs. The Eleventh place in the 2004-2005 Serie B was considered a good result, which led to the appointment of Vincenzo Esposito as the new coach.
The following season, AlbinoLeffe reached the play-off final for promotion to Serie A, losing 1-0 after extra time against Napoli on June 10, 2006. In the following seasons, the team remained in the middle-lower part of the table until they were relegated to Serie C1 in 2012.
After relegation, AlbinoLeffe alternated between good performances and less positive seasons, finishing in the relegation play-offs for Serie D for three consecutive seasons. However, the team was always able to avoid relegation, either by winning the play-offs or through reprieves.
The recent years of AlbinoLeffe
After a difficult 2019-2020 season characterized by the COVID-19 pandemic and financial problems, the team finished sixth in Serie C, qualifying for the play-offs for promotion to Serie B. The 2020-2021 season ended with a comfortable safety secured thanks to a victory over Triestina on the final day.
AlbinoLeffe is probably one of the most beloved football teams in the province of Bergamo, thanks to its long sporting tradition and its connection to the local community. The team plays home games at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo, whose capacity has been reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions
AlbinoLeffe is an example of how the merger of two football teams can lead to great sporting success, such as promotion to Serie B and the victory of the Coppa Italia Serie C. Despite some difficulties over the years, the team has always been very competitive and has maintained a strong local identity and a large following among fans. The hope for the future is to continue on this path and bring the team to the highest levels of Italian football.
