In a year that saw Atalanta again score 90+ goals in the league and 100+ overall, one was not short of options when compiling this list. There didn’t seem to be as many bonafide obvious top shelf choice this year, but don’t worry there were still some stormers to choose from. Perhaps we’ve come to expect too much from the club and we’ve become greedy? Who knows, but anyway here’s my incredibly subjective take on Atalanta’s Top 5 goals of the season.
Honorable Mentions
Of course there are some goals worth mentioning that don’t get their own clip (when you score 100+ goals you’re never devoid of options). Here’s some worthy candidates that just missed the cut – in no particular order.
- Duvan Zapata versus Roma, Matchday 13
- Matteo Pessina versus Napoli, Coppa Italia Semis Leg 2 (second goal of the match)
- Josip Ilicic versus Roma, Matchday 13
- Josip Ilicic versus Liverpool, UCL Groups Match 5
- Luis Muriel versus Real Madrid, UCL Round of 16 Leg 2
- Luis Muriel versus Napoli, Matchday 23 (left footed roofer)
- Ruslan Malinovskyi versus Sampdoria, Matchday 24
- Ruslan Malinovskyi versus Juventus, Matchday 31
- Remo Freuler versus Juventus, Matchday 12
- Aleksey Miranchuk versus Inter, Matchday 7
5. Sam Lammers versus Cagliari, Matchday 3
Sam’s skill on the ball was never in doubt, and this goal was his finest display of what he can be on his day. Unfortunately his season hit a brick wall nearly as fast as it started due to his lack of playing time, but we cannot deny this brilliant footwork and tidy weak-footed finish.
4. Duvan Zapata versus Napoli, Coppa Italia Semis Leg 2
For a man who muscles inside the box to do a lot of dirty work, he can fire off some absolute missiles – especially when given the space. His rocket past his countryman David Ospina set Atalanta on the right track to get past Napoli on their way to the Coppa Italia final.
3. Luis Muriel versus Spezia, Matchday 27
Lucho was a man possessed this season, and no other goal than this one against Italiano’s boys demonstrates the raw skill he has to pull off the impossible seemingly out of nowhere.
2. Luis Muriel versus Cagliari, Matchday 22
Not only did Lucho’s last minute winner salvage three points for La Dea, but it was the difference between Atalanta being in the Champion’s League versus the Europa League. And let’s not forget he rinses two defenders and goes near-post against one of the best reaction stoppers in Serie A.
1. Ruslan Malinovskyi versus Bologna, Matchday 33
Everything about this was perfect. Malinovskyi get’s himself the hockey assist, while Muriel dished off the perfect backheel to the intelligent Ukrainian who continued his run into the box. This goal (very similar to the Samp goal) embodies the danger Atalanta’s attack can present when both Lucho and Ruslan are on the same page – fortunately they often are in step with one and other. Easy number one on the season for me, congrats Ruslan!
So there’s my top 5. Anything I missed out on? With so much to choose from, I’m bound to forget something – so I’d love to hear your thoughts on the best goals of the year – we’re not devoid of options!
