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Inside the Legacy of Atletico Madrid’s Sporting Director Andrea Berta
Andrea Berta stands out among his peers in the realm of sporting directors, as noted by Spanish football commentator Guillem Balague. His journey into football is unconventional—beginning his career in banking before transitioning into the sport. Initially working with amateur club Carpenedolo, Berta later made his mark at professional teams such as Parma and Genoa, forging important connections in the industry, notably with figures like Peter Kenyon and Jorge Mendes.
Under Berta’s management, Atletico Madrid achieved significant success, clinching two La Liga titles in the 2013-14 and 2020-21 seasons, alongside a Copa del Rey victory in 2013, a Europa League title in 2018, and a UEFA Super Cup the same year. His strategic acumen has positioned him as the primary architect behind the team’s reconstruction following the decline of their 2014 championship roster.
Working closely with manager Diego Simeone, Berta has been instrumental in identifying and acquiring key talents that contributed to Atletico’s resurgence. The signing of French striker Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad for £24.8 million in 2014 exemplifies this—after five productive years, Griezmann was sold to Barcelona for an impressive £103 million, only to be re-signed by Atletico in 2021 for a mere £16.5 million. This cycle reflects Berta’s keen eye for talent and market dynamics.
Moreover, he endorsed the acquisition of Spain’s Rodri, who became a Ballon d’Or winner after being brought in for £16.5 million in 2018, only to be transferred to Manchester City the following year for £62.5 million. Additionally, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, recruited from Benfica in 2014 for £13 million, has developed into one of the sport’s premier goalkeepers.
Recent recruitment has also proven fruitful, with forward Julian Alvarez arriving from Manchester City for £81.5 million and making an immediate impact, netting 23 goals this season.
Balague summarized Berta’s pivotal role by highlighting that he has successfully incorporated high-caliber players like Griezmann, Luis Suarez, Kieran Trippier, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, and Julian Alvarez. However, not every signing has been a success; players such as Joao Felix, Nikola Kalinic, Santiago Arias, and Lucas Torreira did not live up to expectations. Yet, Berta has consistently operated within the financial constraints of the club, making strategic moves that reflect his understanding of the market.
Since 2017, Berta has overseen 52 signings, with a total expenditure of approximately €828 million (£692 million). These decisions have profoundly influenced Atletico’s squad and left an indelible mark on the club’s history, signaling the conclusion of a significant era.
Source
www.bbc.com