If anyone expected Atalanta to play a back four, please stand up and take a bow. Gasperini stunned all of Serie A opting to start four centerbacks to offset the injuries of wingbacks Hans Hateboer and Robin Gosens. More than anything today’s lineup was a testament to how important Gosens is to Atalanta’s system that Gasperini would rather completely change his tactic than run out youngster Matteo Ruggeri. And crazily enough, it worked! With Toloi and Djimsiti playing as serviceable fullbacks, Atalanta completely overwhelmed Verona in the first half. Goals from the brilliant Malinovskyi and Zapata were enough to get the job done against a club that only had one shot on target. Firmly sitting in the Top 4 and tied on points with Juventus, Atalanta are in control of their own European destiny as they go into a much needed rest for the International Break.
It cannot be underestimated how well the team functioned as a unit today. It is twofold – first: the men gathered themselves nicely on short rest after a tough loss in Spain and came out looking to smother Verona, and second: they did it playing a brand new tactic. Who even knows how long (if at all) that Atalanta was working on a back four, but it certainly now looks like something Gasperini can turn to in a pinch if need be. Verona isn’t a push over, and Juric’s men didn’t even look present in the first half – though it had more to do with Atalanta’s setup than anything his players could have done. Asides the back four completely neutralizing Verona’s attack, the midfield was dominated by Freuler and Malinovskyi, and Zapata had Lovato’s number as he bravely led the line solo. There was a bit of Route 1 football to Zapata who had the task of “figuring it out” up front on his own. And after 10 or 15 minutes, Lovato couldn’t touch him. Besides some excellent defense from Tameze, Zapata could’ve had a hat-trick in the first half, and his pace strength combination was the final straw for Verona.
The team effort was the showcase of the afternoon, but Ruslan Malinovskyi still deserves a shout out. Not only did he calmly convert a penalty take, he has begun to grab the reigns of the attack and dictate the pace of the offense. We’ve seen it in spurts this year, and some glorious performances have been peppered in with duds. But now it looks like we’re seeing a different player. It began in Madrid, and carried forward on Sunday – Malinovskyi is looking much more decisive in his decision making, perhaps due to his new penchant to keep his gaze forward. With fewer turns and less time facing his own goal, Malinovskyi has really excelled picking passes and being a much more dangerous threat. If Atalanta continues to get this version of Malinovskyi, look out!
With a much needed rest coming for the squad how have barely had a breather since Christmas, let’s hope everyone comes back healthy and hungry. It helps that the South Americans must stay on the continent, but there’s still plenty of guys we need to get through European World Cup qualifiers without concern. It would still be great to see newly branded Italian Rafa Toloi get his first cap, but if I had it my way; I wish Gasperini could just lock his squad in at Zingonia. With Top 4 Atalanta’s to lose, we cannot afford any key injuries; especially if Gosen’s injury is serious. But hey, with a newfound back four centerback setup, maybe Gasp will just ditch the 3-4-1-2! Regardless, a lot of fun stuff to see this Sunday in fair Verona, and as always Forza Dea!
