This is not the first time an Italian team has taken part in the Honvéd Cup, as Sampdoria won the previous edition. This time a genuine 'big name' is coming to Kispest: Atalanta, essentially a permanent fixture in international club competition, will be our guest in District XIX. The Bergamo side have been a major force at the top level of European football for years. Since 2019 they have missed out on the Champions League in only two seasons, while in 2022-23 they won the Europa League after a comfortable 3-0 victory in the final over a Bayer Leverkusen side that had been unbeaten until then. Atalanta went furthest in the Champions League in their first campaign, but because of the coronavirus pandemic they eventually lost a one-match quarter-final to Paris Saint-Germain.
Their U15 team are also enjoying an excellent season and currently sit second behind AC Milan in Group B of Serie A/B, ahead of Internazionale among others. At the 9th Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup, the Italians have been drawn in a three-team group with Spartak Moscow and Maribor.
Their highest-rated player is defender Mattia Zanotti, who represents Italy at youth international level.
Atalanta BC squad:
Goalkeepers: Francesco Ghezzi, Gabriel Ottocento
Defenders: Mirko Danza, Pedro Dos Santos, Samuele Ferraresso, Christian Fradegrada, Christian Turla, Mattia Zanotti
Midfielders: Luca Bosatelli, Marco Damioli, Thomas Giachetti, Alex Alberto Magrin, Davide Merelli, Kristian Morandin, Samuel Prendi
Forwards: Alberto Bellei, Manilo Carone, Giovanni Giustacchini Ribeiro, Riccardo Magno, Stefano Montalbano
Head coach: Alfonso Esposito
Alfonso Esposito, head coach:
Taking part in this tournament is an important moment for our academy, because it gives us the opportunity to test ourselves against the best international teams and to continue our tradition of developing young talent through challenges. For our players, this tournament is a unique opportunity to grow both on and off the pitch, test themselves in a new environment and understand what it means to represent Atalanta at international level.
Full schedule of the 9th Honvéd Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup:
Thursday, March 12, 2026, venue: Budapest Honvéd Academy
12.00 Atalanta BC–NK Maribor
14.00 Budapest Honvéd FC–Paris Saint-Germain
Friday, March 13, 2026, venue: Budapest Honvéd Academy
12.00 Atalanta BC–FK Szpartak Moszkva
14.00 Paris Saint-Germain FC–Elche CF
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 12:00, venue: Budapest Honvéd Academy
12.00 NK Maribor–FK Szpartak Moszkva
14.00 Budapest Honvéd FC–Elche CF
Sunday, March 15, 2026, venue: Bozsik Aréna
9:30 Match for 5th place
12:00 Third-place match
14:30 Final
PRESS ACCREDITATION:
We would like to draw the attention of members of the press to the fact that accreditation for the 9th Honvéd Motherson & Vulcan Shield Cup is available at the following link: https://honvedfc.hu/media/sajto-regisztracio
