WHELP, scratch everything I wrote, as Atalanta and Sassuolo has been canceled due to fears over Coronavirus. Feel free to read, about what could have been a very exciting fixture……….
If there was ever a trap game this season, this would be it. While Atalanta are comfortable favorites, especially after a 4-1 dominant defeat against Sassuolo in their first match, it is a perfect opportunity for La Dea to still be in a lull after their dominance over Valencia, and let Sassuolo sneak through and take some points. (Just look what happened in the Bolonga game after securing Champion’s League Round of 16 after the Shakhtar defeat). Although Sassuolo lost last week to Parma, they have been on good form recently taking 10 points in their last 5 matches, including a 4-2 drubbing over Roma.
Regardless of this game being a potential trap, I think it’s time for Gasperini to go against the grain and do something unexpected. Coming off short rest, Atalanta are in a unique position to get creative with some lineups, and simultaneously give rest to some important players. Here’s what I want to see:
- Adrien Tameze starting in the midfield- Gasperini has been looking to get him playing time the most out of any of the new signings, and giving either Freuler or de Roon a rest in favor of the Frenchman is not out of the question
- Lennart Cyzborra starting in place of Gosens- Robbin has been a man possessed, and I can’t remember the last time he has not played. I imagine taking a match off, and it would give all of us the chance to see what Gosens’s clone (the Cyborg) can do on the left side
- Ruslan Malinovskyi playing Ilicic’s role- Malinovskyi is essentially a Josep Ilicic-lite. He’s excellent on the ball, always favors his left, and can absoutely destroy nets with left-footed braces. I imagine Gasperini sees him as the heir apparent to Ilicic when he finally cannot keep up with the pace of consistent top tier football (although he is ageless), and I’m very curious to see what he can do in a play-making role out on the flank.
These 3 small asks allows Atalanta to do a few things. First, it allows new plays to begin to gel with the starters and gain key playing time. Second, it doesn’t present a huge weakness on any one side of the pitch. With changes on the right, middle, and left, their isn’t a glaring weakness or lack of experience in any specific area, and still allows Gasperini the flexibility to substitute should this plan not work out as hoped. And finally, it gives rest to players who truly need it after a rigorous fixture schedule that is on-going.
Nothing against Sassuolo, as they are a capable and good attacking team, but with a 7 point lead over Roma, this presents Atalanta with the perfect opportunity to experiment and rest, all within the friendly confines of Gewiss. With a thinner squad for playing on multiple fronts, Gasperini needs to continue be cognizant of load management. I know he likes to work players in slowly, but your assets have to be used eventually, and for me now’s a better time than ever. I’ll be extremely interested to see how La Dea line up, and regardless of who is in the starting 11, I’ll still be rooting hard as ever for the 3 points over an on-point Sassuolo. And as always, Forza Atalanta!
