Cristian Romero: The latest Atalanta gem who shut down Liverpool
Thanks to their run to last season's Champions League quarter-finals, Atalanta are less of an unknown quantity this time around.
But the Italians are still capable of bringing fresh talent to the fore, as they have proved with Christian Romero this term.
Signed from Juventus on a loan deal with an option to buy over the summer, the Argentine has been a revelation in the early stages of 2020-21.
And he put himself firmly on the radar of English football fans late last month by starring in Atalanta's 2-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield.
Romero won more aerial duels (3/3) and made more clearances (10) than any player on the pitch as Gian Piero Gasperini's men earned revenge for the surprise 5-0 thumping they took from the Reds in Bergamo.
The 22-year-old then followed that impressive performance up with a simply monstrous showing as he and his teammates were held to a 1-1 draw by Midtyjlland.
Not only did Romero win 15/16 aerial duels and 20/24 duels overall, he also made 11 interceptions and 13 recoveries - phenomenal numbers against any opponent.
He also scored a late equaliser to boot, meeting Hans Hateboer's cross with a header any striker would be proud of to keep Atalanta in control of their Champions League destiny.
It isn't just in Europe where the young centre-back has been impressing, either.
His aerial duel win rate of 87% is more than any other defender in Serie A to have played more than 400 minutes so far this season.
He is also the Italian top-flight leader in terms of recoveries (8.8 P90) and interceptions (6.4 P90) in 2020-21.
The early evidence suggests that Atalanta have unearthed another gem who is sure to attract admiring glances from across Europe.
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Christian Romero: Profile, stats, matches and more