Josip Ilicic, 38 and Still Smiling: 'At Atalanta, We Could've Played Blindfolded!'

Picture a grizzled Josip Ilicic, the Slovenian playmaker who once tormented Serie A defences, now back in his homeland at Koper and cheekily admitting he's 'older now'. But at 38, this wizard of the wing has zero plans to hang up his boots. Chatting to Prime Video, he quipped that as long as he can match the young guns' pace, he'll keep the party going.

It's the kind of vibe you'd hear over a pint – a bloke who's lived the dream refusing to let Father Time call time. Ilicic's career has been a rollercoaster, but his love affair with Atalanta? That's the stuff of legend.

Heart Still in Bergamo

Atalanta isn't just a chapter for Ilicic; it's etched deep in his soul. 'The club helped me grow as a man,' he reflected, 'and never let me down, even in the tough times.' He credits the Nerazzurri for laying the groundwork for their current success – think Europa League finals and consistent top-four finishes.

Back in his prime, Ilicic reckoned their attack was so stacked they could've 'played with our eyes closed'. Imagine that: a front line dripping with class, dismantling opponents without breaking a sweat. It's a bold claim, but coming from a guy who notched 20 goals in that mad 2019/20 season, you can't argue.

These days, pottering around in Slovenia, Ilicic looks back with a grin. Atalanta wasn't just football; it was family, transformation, the works.

Gasperini's Magic and That Valencia Masterclass

No chat about Ilicic's Atalanta era skips Gian Piero Gasperini. The gaffer turned heads by making the Slovenian run like he'd nicked someone's dinner. 'He made me realise I had to run,' Ilicic laughed. Ten years on, Gasperini's high-pressing revolution feels almost quaint – it was ahead of its time.

Training sessions were brutal, matches electric. 'Everything came easily; we feared no one,' he said. But some nights, you couldn't hide, and that's the edge missing in today's game, per Ilicic.

Rewind to 2020: Atalanta 4-3 Valencia in the Champions League. One of Ilicic's career peaks – four goals, pure sorcery. He was gutted to miss the PSG clash, though. 'With our squad, we could've lifted the trophy,' he mused. Dream big or go home, eh?

Gasperini's methods? Visionary. Pressing high, fluid attacks – it became the blueprint for modern Italian football. Ilicic was the artist in the chaos, threading balls like a hot knife through butter.

Legacy of a Late Bloomer

Ilicic's path wasn't straightforward. From Maribor to Palermo, Fiorentina, then Atalanta's explosion. Personal battles off the pitch made his on-field magic even sweeter. Now at Koper, he's mentoring the next lot while enjoying the game.

It's refreshing in a world of prima donnas. At 38, still turning out, still passionate. Atalanta fans chant his name; he shaped their identity. Without Ilicic's flair, would they have reached those heights?

As he joked, 'I'm enjoying myself.' Good on him. Football needs more like Josip – ageless spirits reminding us it's not just about the sprint, but the joyride. Next time you're at the match, raise a glass to the man who could've played blindfolded.

(Originally reported by Goal.com)

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