In one of the most thrilling matches of the Champion’s League this year, the excitement of the game does not outweigh the dismay plenty of Atalanta fans must be feeling. A hectic last 15 minutes, which saw three goals scored, yielded a wild 3-3 draw. A great game for the neutral, it is one that unfortunately turns many ugly stones over for Atalanta fans that need to be addressed.
Primarily in defense (naturally). Tuesday night was the first time (since the Torino match) that Atalanta was sufficiently dominated in the midfield, and the backline did little to pick up the slack for the normally trusty midfield duo. Merih Demiral in particular was thoroughly dominated by Jordan Pefok in the link-up play battle, in which Pefok always seemed to gain a few good feet of separation. Even when Atalanta was able to head a ball to apparent safety, it always landed kindly to a Young Boys player’s foot (again just like Torino). The intensity missed out on the defensive end marinated throughout the pitch – forcing Atalanta to look like a shell of its usual self. 41% possession, 75% pass completion, and completing 100 less passes than Young Boys are all statistics that would indicate disaster for La Dea.
Yet somehow the boys earned a point. More like Luis Muriel earned a point. But in the end it means little. Atalanta still has to beat Villarreal the last week of Champion’s League to advance to the knockouts. The only consolation prize may be that an Atalanta draw see the boys advance to the Europa League if Young Boys can somehow knock off Manchester United. After Tuesday’s display Atalanta has plenty to work out on its own without hoping for help from its opposition. Fair play to Young Boys, Wagner and company had a plan and executed to near perfection – you’d just expect more from Atalanta in such an important fixture.
Atalanta Passione’s Player Ratings
Juan Musso: 6.5 – Nothing he could do on any of the goals scored, but not the greatest distribution to help ease any pressure.
Rafael Toloi: 5.5 – Misplaced passes and being beaten on dribbles are firmly etched in the mind that distract from anything good he may have done.
Merih Demiral: 5 – Dominated by Pefok, permitting Young Boys to be on the front foot offensively.
Jose Luis Palomino: 7 – Wonder goal ala Ilicic, and defenisvely was the strongest of the back three.
Davide Zappacosta: 6 – Tough ankle injury took him off early, but he was ineffective in the minutes he played.
Joakim Maehle: 6 – A pedestrian match from the Dane who was quiet offensively and at-best average defensively.
Remo Freuler: 6 – Failed to make an impact in the midfield, neutralizing his early assist to Zapata.
Marten de Roon: 5 – Lost his mark on the second goal, and a horrible back-pass nearly gifted Young Boys another goal.
Ruslan Malinovskyi: 6 – He was getting hacked all game, but besides some good deliveries from corners failed to provide much more on offense.
Mario Pasalic: 6 – He had a quiet game, hardly anything else to be said.
Duvan Zapata: 6.5 – Did well on his goal, but he was left on an island trying to spur on the offense far too often.
Giuseppe Pezzella: 6.5 – Almost had a worldy of a goal, and was denied a penalty. He did fine given the position he was put in.
Berat Djimsiti: 6 – Hard to recall anything he did in his brief time on the pitch.
Teun Koopmeiners: 6 – He tried a few long balls, but he ultimately did little to turn the tides of fortune in the midfield.
Matteo Pessina: 6 – Similar to Koopmeiners, he was a pedestrian for most of his match time.
Luis Muriel: 7 – Can you say enough about his brilliant free kick? Masterful first touch that bailed Atalanta out.
Atalanta Passione Man of the Match – Jose Luis Palomino
Palomino wins Tuesday’s award more by process of elimination, but it is hard to deny the positive effect he had on the match. Beyond his wonderful goal, his defensive performance was the only one worthwhile of note. Young Boys was less effective in link-up play when Palomino moved to the middle. After Palomino and Demiral’s respective performances, the Argentinian has to be the man in the middle going forward.
Other Young Boys vs. Atalanta Match Odds and Ends
Atalanta may have won the duels battle against Young Boys 64 to 42, it seemed like every single header or ground duel won went directly back to a Young Boys player. Perhaps it was luck, Young Boys positioning, or lack of position by Atalanta – but it fueled the pressure Young Boys was able to keep on La Dea’s defense.
Malinovskyi was getting eaten alive all match, and it was surprising to see him in the match for 90 minutes. This match was a perfect opportunity for Josip Ilicic to come in and see the game out. It is frankly quite astounding to see Gasperini keep the Slovenian on the bench.
I’m never one to argue about refereeing, but there were numerous shady calls in this match. Three stand out. 1) The missed penalty call on Pezzella (not even a VAR check). 2) The missed foul call on Pezzella directly before Young Boys scored its second goal. 3) Pefok straight up stiff armed Remo Freuler in the chest that led to a semi-dangerous Young Boys attack. Beyond the missed calls, Young Boys over-aggression hardly seemed to be kept in checked through cautions.
While the draw is unfortunate, Atalanta has no time to lick its wounds – and needs to be ready for the onslaught of games coming up. With Juventus, Napoli, and Villarreal making up 75% of Atalanta’s next opponents, mistakes can be punished ruthlessly. The defense needs to clean itself up, and La Dea need to figure out how to see out a lead. It may take some soul searching, perhaps some medication, perhaps even a witch doctor?!? Whatever needs to be done, let’s hope Atalanta can figure it out. Not to be too pessimistic, because a draw still presents the boys good opportunities, but Tuesday was just the defensive culmination of what’s been coming for a long time. Let’s hope its time to turn a new leaf! As always, Forza Dea!!!
