For the third consecutive year Atalanta and its fans alke have the pleasure of witnessing midweek football. While it has become sort of an annual event for La Dea, this year packs a special punch. Fans are back! And not only are they back, this year becomes the first time Bergamaschi get to cheer on Atalanta in the remodeled Gewiss Stadium. No more sharing the San Siro the UCL is coming to Bergamo with crowds!
Atalanta has been able to squeak out of the group stages the last two years. Atalanta has a good chance of placing in the Top Two, it is by no means a foregone conclusion that Gasperini and company will advance to the Round of 16. A group containing last year’s Europa League winner Villarreal, European giants Manchester United, and dominant Swiss side BSC Young Boys is a strong group, yet nonetheless should encourage Atalanta on its probability of advancing.
The good fortune for Atalanta begins with drawing Europa League winners Villarreal. Only placing 7th in La Liga last year, the Spanish side would have been out of the tournament without winning its epic shoot-out against group mates Manchester United in one of the best penalty shoot-outs witnessed in last year’s Europa League final. Alongside Villarreal, Pot 1 was a bit watered down this year with the likes of Sporting and Lille winning their respective leagues; though Atalanta was still fortunate to miss out on the Pot 1 behemoths like Manchester City, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich. On paper, even before the Ronaldo signing, Manchester United is the odds on favorite to win the group, but there is no reason Atalanta cannot be runner’s up (or even the victors!) – just like last year by dethroning European Legends Ajax.
It’s an interesting, fun, and diverse group – so let’s see who Atalanta is up against.
Villarreal
Finishing 7th in La Liga lsat year, the club that takes its name from its city is actually a decent comparison to Atalanta. Villarreal is on the small, approaching tiny, side with a population of only 50k. The club’s stadium seats 23k – and its fair to say that Villarreal has become a chronic overachiever in the Spanish league. Plus, Villarreal is also within one hour from Valencia – which of courses is home to two of the larger teams in La Liga. For those playing at home, Valencia Province = Lombardy, Villarreal = Bergamo, and Valencia = Milan. Maybe the comparisons are a bit of a stretch, but it’s interesting nonetheless and encouraging to see an historically smaller side competing at the highest level in Europe.
Villarreal’s victory in the Europa League obviously trumps anything they may, or may not have done, in the league last year, but the Valencian side still seems to have been sucked into the oddly defensive oriented football that has swept over La Liga in the past few seasons. The club’s 60 goals scored last year was good enough for 4th most in Spain, but amazingly would have been only the 9th highest total in Italy!
Spanish Euro 2020 team-member Gerard Moreno was responsible for over a third of Villarreal’s league goal last year, netting 23 (10 from the spot). He becomes the most dangerous man for Atalanta to mark, as he’ll look to beat Palomino and company on some furious counter attacks. If you watched the UEFA Super Cup, you’d have noticed how furious Villarreal’s counterattack can be. Additionally, the Valencians have very good bones up the middle, with familar foe in the midfield Dani Parejo, and a good and young centerback pairing in Pau Torres and Juan Foyth.
Player to Watch- Pervis Estupinan
The young Ecuadorian hit my radar with his strong Copa America performance last summer. Fast, athletic, and creative, if Estupinan features he could be the motor to spur on Villarreal’s counter with his quick work on the left flank. His speed on the left could cause Toloi and Maehle (more and more I’m realizing he’s not a blazer) some issues, so if speed does become an issue, perhaps its better to put Zappacosta on the wing to help neutralize pure velocity.
Manchester United
This is the third straight year Atalanta has been drawn against and English opponent. On one hand, one would have hoped to avoid such a storied club, but on the other hand the undeniable global draw of the Red Devils will be nothing but positive for Atalanta’s growth on the global scene. Now with Cristiano Ronaldo back at his old stomping grounds, it is arguable that Manchester United could be Atalanta most difficult opponent ever (rubbing elbows with Real Madrid and Manchester City from a squad quality standpoint). The team hardly needs an introduction when the starting XI includes continental superstars like Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, and Jadon Sancho. Manchester United did finish second in the Premier League last year, and Ole took a step up with a furious summer that saw Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho, and Cristiano Ronaldo come over to England.
Dethroning Manchester United may seem to be a daunting task- but remember, Atalanta did stun Liverpool with a cleansheet at Anfield last year. So there’s no reason the boys cannot pull off a similar upset at Old Trafford this year. This time; however, it will best to not get dismantled 5-0 at home!
Player to Watch- Edinson Cavani
While the Uruguayan may not be starting this year, there’s few quality strikers of better quality than him to bring off the bench. In 13 starts across 26 matches last year, Cavani was still good for 10 goals in limited game time. His movement off the ball is still fantastic, and he has no issues putting in a good shift up front with an insane work rate that has not waned with age. He must be watched like a hawk, especially in the final minutes of a close match, because his wily veteran knowledge can bite at a moment’s notice.
BSC Young Boys
Pot 4 teams from lower leagues are always tricky to analyze. With less data available, and minimal knowledge of the squad makeup – oftentimes a lot of conjecture goes into assessing the opponent. A club like BSC Young Boys can be easily pigeonholed as the club to finish at the bottom of Group F – but never take any team lightly. Just look at Atalanta in 2019 – in it’s first taste of Champion’s League football!
On paper, Young Boys absolutely ran away with the Swiss Super League last year, garnering 84 points and putting up a staggering +45 goal differential. Second place Basel – for comparison – only earned 53 points with a +7 goal differential! The Swiss side also flexed its muscles on the European stage, beating Bayer Leverkusen to reach the Round of 16 in the Europa League last year. The core of the squad still seems to be intact, with the likes of Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, and Jean Pierre Nsame being the dangermen upfront and the midfield for the club from Bern. It will probably take a lot for Young Boys to get through, but crazier things happen every year in football…
Player to Watch- Jordan Siebatcheu
The American international signed permanently with Young Boys this summer from Stade Rennais, and has already put home six goals combined in Champion’s League qualifiers and the Swiss League. With Nsame injured, the physical American will be the focal point of the Swiss’s attack, with the club’s offensive success hanging on his ability to lead the line and cause problems for Palomino and Demiral in the middle.
FiveThirtyEight gives Atalanta a 59% chance of advancing out of its group. That feels realistic and reasonable. With Manchester Untied expected to win the group, Atalanta and Villarreal will most likely be duking it out for the coveted 2nd place spot. Over the years it has become evident that Gasperini prioritizes the Champion’s League in the autumn – why wouldn’t he?!? – so there’s no reason think this year will be different. Some good fortune with the group draw, plus much needed depth in key positions should hopefully be enough for La Dea to be competitive throughout the fall both internationally and domestically. Everyone buckle up, its gonna be a wild couple months of match action – and it starts now! Good luck, and as always Forza Dea!!!
