It took awhile but Atalanta finally put away more than two goals in a game, even if it required a bit of help from Empoli’s defense. The gifted own goal aside, La Dea still came up with the goods, netted four goals against Empoli and putting forth it’s best offensive display of the year. Injuries forced Atalanta to lean on its depth, and perhaps surprisingly it was the reserves who had the most impact on the outcome of the game. The Balkan duo of Josip Ilicic and Mario Pasalic was immense. Ilicic gave Atalanta an early lead with a crafty brace, and Pasalic was involved in three of the goals including two assists.
Atalanta has had its challenges offensively in the early part of the season, but Empoli’s open flow – while itdid put Empoli in dangerous positions to score – gave Atalanta plenty of space to work and maneuver. Empoli was adamant at pressing on the touchlines, but everyone from the wings to the attack to the mids to the attack was confidently switching flanks all match to open up space and get the offense flowing. It was Atalanta biggest key to finding space, and it was the guys best display of long range precision passing so far in the young season. Perhaps its the Teun Koopmeiners effect? Who knows but the young Dutchman certainly stood out among the entire offense landing five long balls, including a deft pass that had Luis Muriel go one on one with the keeper.
Empoli deserve accolades for not sitting back and trying to equalize. The match did not feel sewn up until Zapata’s dagger right at the end, and without a few goal-line saves by Merih Demiral the tone of this review could be much angrier. Nonetheless, the defense did very well with a dangerous form of route one football, and even used Empoli’s tactic against it – by uncharacteristically scoring on the counter.
Atalanta Match Ratings:
Juan Musso- 6.5: Had no chance on Di Francesco’s goal, but stopped what he should’ve stopped
Rafael Toloi- 6.0: The captain had to come off early for injury, so hopefully he is not out for an extended period of time
Merih Demiral- 7.5: Two goal line clearances, and comfortably controlled the backline
Jose Luis Palomino- 6.5: His mark scored on the goal, but he was solid throughout
Davide Zappacosta- 6.5: Got into good areas, and continues to be a tireless worker
Joakim Maehle- 6.5: He looked much better going forward, but his defense still leaves a lot to be desired
Marten de Roon- 7.0: The aggressive force in the middle that was needed, one of his best pressing matches
Teun Koopmeiners- 7.5: Strong defense, but divine passing that adds another level to the offense
Mario Pasalic- 8.0: Two perfectly weighted assists, plus lively play up front to go along with nifty passing and footwork
Josip Ilicic- 8.0: A brace, with a classic Ilicic goal, but a missed penalty dings him a little
Luis Muriel- 6.5: The movement was good, the end product just wasn’t there, perhaps a symptom of the international break
Remo Freuler- 6.5: Deputized nicely for Toloi, and delivered a classicly steady Remo performance
Duvan Zapata- 7.0: Hustle play led to yet another goal, and now he’s the first Colombian with 100 career Serie A goals
Ruslan Malinovskyi- 6.5: Looked better offensively, and was not holding onto the ball for nearly as long
Matteo Lovato- 6.5: Was steady in his first serious action of the year, a little passive at times – but that will dissipate with experience
Guiseppe Pezzella- s/v: Did not play long enough to warrant a rating
Atalanta Man of the Match: Mario Pasalic
With all the excellent performances, choosing the man of the match was quite difficult this week. Josip Ilicic, Merih Demiral, and Teun Koopmeiners all would have been worthy choices. However, the unexpected surprise that was Mario Pasalic helped him come out in front. Beyond his two unselfish assists, his work in setting the press up front is exactly what Atalanta fans have come to expect from Matteo Pessina. Beyond covering the most kilometers for an Atalantino, his positioning was also key. From getting into spaces to ease pressure off Ilicic, to some timely switches of play to build up offense, it was all the marginal bits of play that added up beyond the box score. And perhaps most important, he didn’t make any mistakes! If Pasalic can continue to build upon this excellent performance, it will be an enormous shot in the arm for the attack that is desperate for bodies.
Other Atalanta Odds and Ends
Duvan Zapata looks to be utilizing his strength so much more this year to wreak havoc. This was the third match in a row that his hustle combined with strength led to a goal – this time he was rewarded for his effort with his…
100th career goal in Serie A! Zapata is now the first Colombian to score 100 career goals in Serie A, and is tied for 85th most goals in the history of the league. Fifteen more goals this year would shoot him into the top 60.
Merih Demiral continues to improve every match. The Turk won four aerial duels against Empoli, the only player to record more than one in the match.
Josip Ilicic’s brace made him in the only foreign player in Serie A to score in each Serie A season since 2010. Who knows who the Italians are, but Fabio Quagliarella is the only one who comes to find that can match his total.
Everything that transpired on Sunday is an enormous boost going into the huge stretch of matches ahead. Josip Ilicic looks spirited again, and if Mario Pasalic can prove this match wasn’t a fluke, sorting out depth problems will not be as dire an issue. The injury to Toloi is concerning, but Gasperini already demonstrated on Sunday that he is willing to play a back four, deciding to play Freuler, Koopmeiners, and de Roon simultaneously. Within one point of Roma and three points of Inter, things looks to be trending in the right direction for Atalanta. More performances like Sunday’s will do a whole lot more to bring confidence to the faithul. Great win today, Tifosi – and as always, Forza Dea!!
