Date: January 6, 2021
Time: 9:00 EST
Midweek games are already back in action for 2021, as Atalanta look to capitalize on a strong 5-1 Sunday victory over Sassuolo. Drawing Parma midweek is quite a fortunate draw given the Gialloblu’s recent form, tallying only 1 goal in their last 4 matches, and being unable to nab a victory since the end of November against relegation candidates Genoa. To add insult to injury for Parma; starting XI staples Gervinho and Kucka are off the squad list making the uphill battle that much harder for the Emilia-Romagna boys to overcome.
For Atalanta, it looks as if the Bologna match did them some good in terms of maintaining focus. Entering the Sassuolo match up 2-0 at halftime – just like against Bologna – La Dea didn’t sit back and kept on an offensive tear for the entire game, suffocating de Zerbi’s squad. They’ll have to bring a similar intensity to Wednesday match as they will quite likely be in a similar position in which mental fortitude will be as paramount to scoring goals. The Sassuolo match was a good start, we just need to carry that mental momentum forward against opponents Atalanta should be beating.
Defensively Atalanta will be without their rock in the middle Cristian Romero – who is suspended for the match. Fortunately, Rafa Toloi should be back and ready to start, and with Toloi; Palomino; and Djimsiti patrolling the back line, there shouldn’t be a need to push Caldara immediately back into the fold – although a match against Parma could be the perfect opportunity to get Mattia some minutes. Perhaps a shock to most, but Joakim Maehle is already on the squad list; could he get some minutes after his immediate transfer over to La Dea? I don’t envision a start, but maybe a 2nd half appearance is in the cards for the Dane, as I imagine he already has jumped the depth chart over Depaoli. I’m thrilled to see Maehle unleashed and how he compares to Hateboer, but time will tell if he have to wait until the weekend against Benevento.
Up front Atalanta is finally getting its groove back. Besides Freuler and de Roon consistently doing their thing in the middle*, Pessina put a storming display on Sunday, and both Zapata and Muriel look to have gotten back to their goal scoring ways. Zapata now has 3 goals in his last two starts – against strong opponents in Sassuolo and Roma – and looks primed for another goal breakout to go along with all his other contributions as a striker (he’s tied for top assist man on La Dea too!) With Ilicic pulling the creative strings – I wish he’d cut down on the low percentage shots – the offense is starting to settle into life without Papu, and the attack seems more balanced without all offensive duties having to roll through one player. The offense now feels more difficult to dissect for an opposition’s defense, and its impossible to hone in one player.
*Kessie and Bennacer are getting all the accolades as the best double pivot in Serie A, but you’d be foolish not to at least consider Freuler and de Roon as the top duo.
The next three games for Atalanta are an enormous opportunity for La Dea to hold serve or even climb up spots on the Serie A table. It all starts with mental focus and fighting off complacency against a club who’s looking to stay out of the relegation battle. The loss of Kulusevski has been rough for Parma, and being ranked 20th in goals scored in Serie A the name of the game will be beating the parked bus and avoiding the counter. Gervinho out of the lineup should make it easier for the back three to deal with pace, but never underestimate a team desperate to stay afloat in the top flight. Mentally and health-wise the club is in a good position to overcome any pitfalls, and lets hope 3 weekday points is in the cards for Wednesday. As always, Forza La Dea!
