Young Boys dared Atalanta to score on them, and David Wagner’s plan nearly worked out. In a match that was thoroughly one way traffic in favor of Atalanta, it took a piece of hustle and exuberance from Duván Zapata to find Matteo Pessina for the only goal of the match. Atalanta dominated pretty much the entire match, holding the ball for 64% of the match, and the club completed more than double the passes of Young Boys (525 to 239). The underlying statistics don’t really do justice to how nervy the match felt, but when you can score one goal against a team hoping to concede zero, take that result and go home (or in Atalanta’s case, don’t leave home!).
For as open as Young Boys can play – just look at the last twenty minutes of this match – it probably caught most by surprise that the Bern side would set up so passively. The strategy is justifiable, given Atalanta’s troubles deconstructing a pivot, but the match was immediately set up to guarantee Atalanta either 1 or 3 points. A bold move that feels a bit puzzling for a club that can be very dynamic on its level. Its understandable for a team like Young Boys to play the role of a Pot 4 club, but the energetic display they put forward in the last twenty minutes proved they have the chops to hang. They may concede a few in the process with an energetic press, but they’ll no doubt bang them in too.
Even though Atalanta’s struggles finding the net were evident, La Dea were probably unlucky to not put home at least three goals. From the Toloi produced own-goal, to Pessina’s missed wide open sitter, to Muriel’s missed one-on-one, Atalanta’s quality did see it through at the end of the day. Now with four points, Atalanta sit atop of a Champion’s League group for the first time in its history, and are at least set up to dictate the group’s tempo for at least the next few match weeks.
Men of the Match: Duvan Zapata and Rafael Toloi
Both Zapata and Toloi were so energetic today, it is difficult to choose one as the standout performer, so let’s choose both of them. Zapata was hungry all game and was absolutely dying for a goal – but there are more than goals to a well-rounded center forward’s performance. A goal didn’t come for the Colombian, but all his effort set up the game winner for Pessina who redeemed himself on his second tap in chance of the match. Engulfed with defenders the entire match, Zapata’s life was hard, but he made life equally hard for the Young Boys center backs (including the excellent Camara). Some better bounces may have seen him rewarded with a goal, but his effort to earn an assist won Atalanta the three points.
Toloi on the other hand was equally effective in driving the momentum towards Young Boys’s goal. During spells of possession, Atalanta was bereft of energy – participating in everyone’s favorite game of passing between the backlines. Toloi noticeably was bucking this trend, flying into open spaces and oftentimes was further up the pitch than Marten de Roon. His desire to get on the scoresheet spurred the whole team forward, and while he was unlucky to not get credit for setting up the own goal, his leadership in keeping the pressure on Young Boys’s defense cannot be understated.
Other Match Odds and Ends
Robin Gosens’s injury in the 10th minute looked very discouraging, even pointing to a potential knee ailment. Fortunately it just looks to be a muscle strain, that can probably be fully healed by the the end of the international break. It is concerning that both Palomino and Gosens suffered muscle injuries in back to back matches.
Speaking of the Gosens injury, Joakim Maehle was quite lively when he came on as a substitute. However, it was a little puzzling to see Gasperini switch Maehle’s and Zappacosta’s positions at the end of the first half. Maehle was looking dangerous on the left, and Zappacosta seemed more prepared to handle the good defense work of Ulisses Garcia.
Merih Demiral was fantastic in the middle of the pitch, especially in the 2nd half holding off a very man to mark in Wilfried Kanga. Demiral finished the match with six interceptions and his confident play gave Djimsiti and Toloi the freedom to push further forward. A very important rebound game for the young Turk after his error-laden match against Inter.
It’s great to see Luis Muriel back in action, and he already was close to scoring a trademark goal with his excellent feet and balance. A good save from von Ballmoos prevented a goal, but no one besides Muriel can get those type of shots off on the club. Muriel looked a little rusty in some of his build up play, expected after not playing for a month, so he’ll still need some time to work his way back into shape.
Matteo Pessina continued to work hard after his disastrous miss in the first half. He didn’t sulk and his industriousness was awarded with the game tying goal. Good on him!
Four points in the group, and with Manchester United needing heroics to earn points, Atalanta can make a huge splash in Group F by taking at least one victory in its next set of matches against the Red Devils. The offense is still looking for its first match scoring more than two goals, but results are still results. Atalanta seems to somehow improved on defense without Cristian Romero, and the club’s success in Champion’s League may be based on how well Demiral and Palomino continue to fill up his absence in the middle of the defense. But for now, let’s celebrate three points, made even more special by the fact that it was the first ever Champion’s League match with fans permitted. They deserved it! As always, Forza Dea!!!
