How Leicester, Atalanta, Girona & Others Rewrote Football History
In a world where billion-dollar budgets, superstar squads, and global fanbases dominate the headlines, the rise of smaller clubs stands as football’s most romantic narrative. Every now and then, the underdog bites back — shaking up leagues, breaking records, and etching their names into football folklore.
From Leicester City’s Premier League miracle to Atalanta’s free-scoring Champions League journey, and Girona’s stunning La Liga surge, the past decade has shown us that strategy, spirit, and belief can outweigh spending.
This blog highlights some of the most incredible underdog stories of the last 10 years — tales that reminded us all why we fell in love with the beautiful game.
🦊 Leicester City (2015–16): The Ultimate Football Fairytale
If there’s a football story that deserves its own Netflix series, it’s Leicester City’s Premier League title win in 2015–16.
🔍 Context:
- Odds of Leicester winning: 5000/1
- Previous season: Escaped relegation by just 6 points
- Key players: Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kanté, Wes Morgan
- Manager: Claudio Ranieri, a man many viewed as past his prime
⚽ What Made Them Special?
- Lightning-fast counter-attacks
- Compact 4-4-2 formation with relentless work ethic
- Vardy’s 11-game scoring streak and Mahrez’s magic
- A dressing room with zero egos but complete belief
🏆 Outcome:
- Won the Premier League by 10 points
- Vardy and Mahrez became international stars
- Inspired a generation of fans and clubs worldwide
Leicester proved that with clever recruitment, team spirit, and the right tactical setup, even the biggest dreams can come true.
🇮🇹 Atalanta BC (2018–2020): The Dark Horses of Europe
Nestled in the small Italian city of Bergamo, Atalanta exploded onto the European scene with a brand of football that was fearless, fluid, and fiercely entertaining.
🔍 Context:
- Budget: One of the lowest in Serie A
- Stadium capacity: Just over 20,000
- Manager: Gian Piero Gasperini, known for his 3-4-3 pressing system
⚽ What Made Them Special?
- Played ultra-attacking football with 90+ goals a season
- Converted average players into elite contributors
- Relied on data-driven scouting and smart player development
🏆 Milestones:
- Qualified for the Champions League in 2019
- Reached the Champions League quarterfinals in 2020
- Consistently finished in Serie A’s top four against all odds
Atalanta’s journey wasn’t just about results — it was about changing perceptions. They proved that small clubs can dominate matches, not just survive them.
🇪🇸 Girona FC (2023–24): The New Force in La Liga
Spain’s top flight has long been dominated by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético. But in the 2023–24 season, Girona FC — a modest Catalonian club — turned heads by challenging for Champions League spots.
🔍 Context:
- Owned partly by the City Football Group
- Stadium: Montilivi, capacity of ~14,000
- Manager: Míchel, a tactical innovator
⚽ What Made Them Special?
- Played with no fear, attacking even against big teams
- Effective use of loans and fringe players
- Built a tight-knit squad with strong chemistry and unity
🏆 Achievements:
- Topped La Liga tables in early 2024
- Defeated traditional giants in direct clashes
- Qualified for European competition for the first time
Girona represents the new generation of smart, ambitious clubs who use analytics, identity, and belief to disrupt the natural order.
🌍 Other Honorable Mentions
🇫🇷 RC Lens
- Promoted in 2020; finished 2nd in Ligue 1 by 2023
- Incredible home form and youth academy-driven progress
🇩🇪 Union Berlin
- From Bundesliga promotion in 2019 to Champions League qualification
- Maintained a tight budget and passionate fan ownership model
🇳🇱 AZ Alkmaar
- Punched above their weight with youth-oriented policy
- Routinely challenged Ajax and PSV with a fraction of the budget
📊 What Do These Clubs Have in Common?
🔑 1. Smart Recruitment
- Avoiding big names, focusing on hungry players
- Prioritizing system fit and resale value
🔑 2. Tactical Identity
- Leicester: Compact counters
- Atalanta: Relentless pressing and vertical play
- Girona: Flexible possession play with positional fluidity
🔑 3. Stable Leadership
- Long-term managerial vision, not panic-driven hiring
- Strong backing from boards and belief in projects
🔑 4. Community & Culture
- Fans are often deeply tied to the club’s rise
- Atmosphere at home grounds makes a real difference
🧠 Why Their Stories Matter
In a sport increasingly ruled by superclubs and mega TV deals, these underdogs are more than just feel-good stories — they are blueprints. They teach us that:
- Innovation can beat money
- Tactics can beat talent
- Belief can beat brands
Their triumphs remind us that football, at its heart, is still capable of miracles.
❓ FAQs – Underdogs That Shook the Giants
Q1: What makes a club an underdog in football?
A: A club is considered an underdog when it lacks the financial resources, squad depth, or historical success compared to top teams but still performs exceptionally well.
Q2: How did Leicester City win the Premier League?
A: Through tactical discipline, brilliant scouting (like signing Kanté and Mahrez), and a team-first mentality under Claudio Ranieri.
Q3: What’s special about Atalanta’s tactics?
A: They use a high-risk, high-reward attacking style with overlapping center-backs and extreme man-marking — rare in modern top-level football.
Q4: Is Girona’s success sustainable?
A: With backing from the City Football Group and a clear vision under Míchel, they could become a permanent fixture in La Liga’s top half.
Q5: Which other underdogs are currently rising?
A: Clubs like Brighton (Premier League), Bologna (Serie A), and Toulouse (Ligue 1) are currently catching attention for smart, overachieving performances.