The former Atalanta midfielder, who progressed through the club's youth system before making his name in Serie A, has watched its development from close quarters. He also believes Raffaele Palladino deserves credit for restoring confidence during a difficult period, while identifying Giacomo Raspadori as a player ideally suited to the Bergamo club.
Atalanta's current circumstances have changed considerably since Donati gave his assessment, with Maurizio Sarri now in charge following the departures of Ivan Juric and Palladino. But Donati's observations about the foundations of the club remain particularly relevant.
Atalanta's success is built on more than money
For Donati, the story of Atalanta's progress begins long before its recent achievements in Serie A and European competition.
Having come through the club's academy himself, he understands the importance of the structures and organisation that have helped turn Atalanta into a consistent producer of talent.
"The growth of the club goes back a long way, to when I was young and even before that," he told Football Presse. "I was there myself and went through the entire youth system, so it has been a continuous development over the years.
"When you have the right facilities and do things properly, obviously you also need capital to make it happen. But Atalanta have also sustained themselves by developing young players, selling some of them and bringing others through. That is something that has never stopped. If anything, it has continued to grow.
"It is about organisation. A club has to be organised properly, with genuine professionals working with players from a young age. The results are not necessarily automatic, but when you do things that way, they become much more likely."
It is an assessment that reflects the philosophy behind Atalanta's development under the Percassi family, whose return to the club in 2010 helped establish the foundations for its subsequent rise.
The investment in the Centro Bortolotti training complex, the continued expansion of the academy and the development of players for the first team have all formed part of that approach.
It is also a model that has continued to produce significant transfer value, with homegrown defender Marco Palestra's permanent move to Chelsea in July 2026 providing a recent example.
Donati's argument is that successful clubs need more than the ability to purchase established players. They need the organisation to identify, develop and eventually replace talent.
That is particularly important for a club such as Atalanta, operating outside the traditional financial and historical powerhouses of Italian football.
Palladino, Juric and the importance of confidence
Donati also offered an interesting perspective on the managerial transition from Ivan Juric to Raffaele Palladino.
He was careful not to place all the responsibility for Atalanta's difficulties on Juric, suggesting that results had not always reflected the performances.
"First of all, Juric was also unlucky, because there were a lot of matches that he drew which he could have won. They missed some goals and there is very little a coach can do about that.
"Palladino was immediately good at restoring momentum from a mental point of view and freeing the players' minds. The way they play does not change enormously because, ultimately, they all have a similar style or model of play. There are small differences, but the mental aspect, both individually and collectively, is so important in modern football.
"Palladino did a good job of revitalising the whole environment and the entire team, giving them what they needed."
Palladino's tenure subsequently ended in June, with Sarri appointed as his replacement. The latter has inherited a club that finished seventh in the previous Serie A campaign and is now attempting to re-establish consistency.
Atalanta's latest domestic difficulties have been considerable. A 3-0 home defeat against Parma on November 2 left them 13th after 10 league matches, with five defeats already recorded.
Nevertheless, Donati's broader point about the psychological demands of management remains relevant. A change of coach can offer a fresh perspective, but restoring confidence is often as important as changing the tactical approach.
He also singled out Giacomo Raspadori, who joined Atalanta from Atletico Madrid in January 2026.
"Raspadori is an Atalanta player, in the sense that he is someone who applies himself and has quality. He has already shown that he can be really important for this team. So there are very few doubts about him."
The Italian international's versatility and willingness to work were qualities Donati clearly appreciated. His subsequent contribution has included goals in both Serie A and European competition, although opportunities in the league have been more limited this season.
Bari, Palermo and the importance of football cities
Donati's appreciation of Atalanta's development is also informed by his experiences elsewhere in Italian football.
His spells with Bari and Palermo exposed him to two clubs with substantial support and a particularly strong relationship with their respective cities.
He believes that passion is something that should never be underestimated, regardless of which division a club occupies.
"Palermo and Bari are historic clubs with very passionate supporters. They are important teams and cities because they have a huge following and an important history behind them.
"When you have places with so many people going to watch matches, with so much passion for football, it is beautiful. They are important football cities even if, at the moment, they are in Serie B. I hope they can return to the top because, ultimately, that is what makes football special.
"When you have 60,000 people in Bari and 50,000 in Palermo, that is the beauty of football. Making people happy, making them rejoice or despair when they come to watch their team. That is what football is about."
Those comments have taken on a different significance since the interview. Bari have since suffered relegation to Serie C, while Palermo are currently leading Serie B and pursuing a return to the top flight.
For Atalanta, the challenge has been different. Its progress has been about turning a passionate regional football club into an established presence at the highest level, supported by a sustainable sporting structure.
Donati has experienced all three environments, and his reflections suggest that while the circumstances of each club are different, the importance of their relationship with supporters remains the same.
Atalanta's rise may be explained through its organisation, facilities and ability to develop players, but its identity remains rooted in Bergamo.
For Donati, that is ultimately what makes football special: the ability of a club to give an entire city something to believe in.