Atalanta’s starting XI is not an issue – as consistent upper table finishes the past few years would suggest. However, for a squad that continues to fight on so many fronts, depth has become an issue to address. We saw it during the group stages of the last two Champion’s League rounds, and with the current squad line-up, fighting midweek and on the weekends next autumn can again be a problem. Not to mention injuries… Atalanta was relatively fortunate in the injury department this year – and while certain key players were out for multiple matches at times – I don’t recall any starter’s injuries overlapping. It would be ignorant to gamble on that kind of luck again – and with nearly the entire squad playing summer football for the second year in a row, prepping for a few more knocks this year would be prudent, even if its overkill.
So where do Atalanta need to focus? On paper the club has a starting XI that can go toe to toe with nearly every team in the league. But what moves them into that next echelon is finding quality substitutes that 1) are quality backups 2) are fine being rotation pieces. This is an incredibly tough balancing act. Fortunately Atalanta has the opportunity to spin the narrative in a way that can entice players given the guarantee that the club will play close to if not more than 50 matches next year. I’ve listed my priorities from least pressing to most pressing, purely from a depth standpoint – and would love to see Atalanta shore up some of these 2nd and 3rd strong holes.
6. Attacking Midfield
Atalanta has no shortage of attacking midfielders at its disposal. Given that two play (or sometimes only one if the Colombians are on the pitch together), this is still a position of strength for La Dea, even with the departure of Papu and likely departure of Ilicic. Beyond Serie A assist leader Ruslan Malinovskyi; Pessina is nearly a shoo-in to start. Additionally, Miranchuk and Pasalic are also capable of starting – and even Kovalenko and Lammers can provide minutes in a pinch. With rumors of Boga potentially coming into the fold as well, this is far and away the area Atalanta can spend the least amount of focus on.
5. Central Forward
The Colombians are as sure fire as you can get. While neither are spring chickens, both still have plenty of juice in the legs and get sufficient rest as they tag team frequently. For comparison, Duvan Zapata played in 70% of La Dea’s minutes last year while Ciro Immobile (a striker on a club of comparable competitiveness) played in 84% of Lazio’s minutes. In addition, Sam Lammers, again, can fill in up front if needed; plus, Roberto Piccoli could be ready for Atalanta action after performing decently at Spezia. Given La Dea tend to play one striker, having two of the best in the league sets the club up nicely.
4. Goalkeeper
There has been a lot of feather ruffling that Atalanta could do with a new goalkeeper. I’ve also been guilty of this as well. While I still think Atalanta could do with an upgrade over the Gollini and Sportiello combination, if it doesn’t happen it will not be the end of the world. Both are fine, but Atalanta could do better, and I’d consider it more of a luxury if they went and got someone like Juan Musso or Emil Audero.
3. Central Defense
In a back three system, having a bevy of centerbacks is never a bad thing. Especially ones that play as aggressively as Atalanta’s, and are guaranteed to miss a few starts here and there for yellow card compilation. Romero, Djimsiti, and Toloi are still locks to start, while Palomino is a capable back-up and has looked excellent when Atalanta move to a back 4. However, Toloi is getting up there and looks to be losing a step – and the jury is still out if Sutalo is the answer in La Dea’s setup. With Caldara moving back to Milan, Atalanta have to make at least one signing to bolster depth at the back. While rumors have been quiet regarding Ahmedhozic, Atalanta looks to have been sniffing around for capable backups with both Lucumi from Genk and Tomiyasu from Bologna being mentioned (ones that I like a lot as well).
2. Wingback
Last year my biggest fear on the squad came to fruition: what happens when both Hateboer and Gosens get hurt? Answer: let’s play a back a four! It worked wonderfully, but it still unmasked a dire situation Atalanta had on the wings. Given that wingbacks are so important in Gasperini’s system, having more than just Maehle as rotation is absolutely necessary. Atalanta whiffed in the early season on their loan options, and who knows where the club would be without Maehle filling in while Hateboer was injured? Reca looks to be coming back to the squad after his travels with relegation sides, and could be a nice back-up to Gosens. But what if Gosens leaves? Fortunately the rumors have not been too hot lately, but I’m not entirely sure I’d trust either Reca, Ruggeri, or Maehle (who I want more in a Castagne hybrid role) starting full-time on the left. For now, let’s hope we have one more season before we have to cross that bridge.
1. Central Midfield
Marten de Roon and Remo Freuler are one of the best double pivots in the league, but all seems to break loose when one of them isn’t in the lineup. There is hardly any cover for the Siamese twins, and with de Roon missing the first four matches next year due to suspension, Atalanta will immediately have to test new waters in the middle. Pessina can handle the pivot, but he is more comfortable up front. Pasalic has not proven he’s capable of playing in the pivot, so the only hope on the current squad is that Kovalenko can somehow slot into the middle of the pitch. Fortunately for La Dea they are not devoid of options to bolster the midfield. Links to players like Thorsby and Schouten who do very similar things on the pitch to Marten and Remo are encouraging. Thus, I cannot see Atalanta brass going another summer without addressing the lungs of the Atalanta press that make the machine chug.
Fortunately for Atalanta the situation is not too dire. Chances are the starting XI will be fully intact with the only potential adjustments being upgrades rather than sell-offs (although this could change fast if Gosens is dealt). Depth is the new name of the game for Atalanta, and will probably be the defining factor of the squad challenging for the Scudetto or challenging for Champion’s League spots. The rumblings have been encouraging so far, and with more cash coming in from a Top-3 finish and cash potentially coming from Ilicic and Cyzborra deals – there is certainly liquidity for Atalanta to be shrewd on the market again. I like some of the names Atalanta have been linked with so far, let’s hope at least some of them come to fruition. As always, Forza Dea!!!
