Date: December 18, 2021
Time: 15:00 CET, 9:00 EST
In the annual Christmas match, Atalanta faces the same foes as last year, who Atalanta was able to comfortably dispatch by a three goal margin. However, this time around neither the opponent nor the jersey (let’s please avoid the new Christmas kit though!) are quite the same, as Jose Mourinho’s side lurks right around the Europa League places – with plenty of class to still break the ceiling separating the top 4 from the rest of the league.
Currently tied with Juventus on 6th place in Serie A, Roma have had to weather a slurry of recent injuries – most notably to its captain and playmaker, Lorenzo Pellegrini. Pellegrini is leading the team with five goals, so Roma will need to look elsewhere for its offense and creativity – with plenty of Giallorossi hoping it comes from big summer transfer signing Tammy Abraham. Once linked to Atalanta, Abraham looks to have adapted rather quickly to the Italian game, even if his goal scoring record would suggest otherwise. He fits well into the Roma side, and is craftier on the ball in buildup play than one would expect, just like his predecessor Edin Dzeko.
Regardless, Roma still has plenty of weapons to throw at Atalanta, lest we forget the former Atalanta triumvirate that sits further back in Roger Ibanez, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante. All can provide goals from deeper positions and set pieces, so the backline that is often not matched on height must be on guard for Roma’s more formidable aerial threat.
Roma Player to Watch- Nicolo Zaniolo
Once upon a time, Roma’s youngster was the next best thing in Italian football. Unfortunately two severe knee injuries and uneven playing time have put Zaniolo’s rise to fame on hold. This season has been no different. With no goals or assists, Zaniolo’s claim to fame this year may be leading the league in yellow cards per 90 minutes (among players with 800 + minutes played), with seven yellow cards (an egregiously high quantity for an attacking player).
Injuries again have not been kind to the youngster (as there were even some questions if he would be fit for the weekend), but the 22 year-old clearly has the class to pull off a wonder goal if everything lines up. Atalanta’s high line with acres of space behind it could spur him on to link up with the ever present Abraham in the middle.
Atalanta Passione’s Predicted Starting XI
It feels like eons ago (international breaks notwithstanding) since Atalanta has had a full week to prepare and rest for an opponent. With everyone but Robin Gosens at Gian Piero Gasperini’s disposal, the so-called “currently cemented” Atalanta starting lineup should be lining up for opening kickoff – with a few wrinkles.
Firstly, it is quite evident that Gasperini is looking to bring Hans Hateboer up to full speed as quickly as possible. He’s already played the equivalent of three matches since his return to the lineup, and with Davide Zappacosta being either ineffective or still injured (or a combination of both), the job looks to be Hateboer’s. Gasperini could surprise everyone and play Zappacosta on the left, if he trusts him more than Joakim Maehle, but given Zappacosta has barely played on the opposite flank this year, it seems doubtful for now.
In the midfield, Teun Koopmeiners continues to make it increasingly difficult to predict who will lineup in the double pivot. His nice start and resulting goal last week against Hellas Verona was an encouraging side – and more offense in what will likely be a deeper Roma defense may be more valuable than two ball winners.
Atalanta vs. Roma Storylines to Follow
-By now everyone knows about the Joma debacle accidentally putting the Turin skyline on the Atalanta Christmas kit rather than Bergamo’s. The error is nothing but embarrassing, for all sides involved, and we can only hope that Atalanta come out with something different than the “Joma-Gate” kit. Or to hide the ghastly error, it could be the perfect opportunity to bring back the power of the tucked-in shirt.
-Roma has four ex-Atalantini in its squad: Bryan Cristante, Roger Ibanez, Gianluca Mancini, and Leonardo Spinnazola. Obviously Spinnazola won’t play, but it is highly probable that Atalanta square up against the other three. Cristante scored a banger last time out against Atalanta, so it’ll be up to Marten de Roon and the midfield to guarantee that he doesn’t get a free bit of space on his favored right foot outside the box.
-Jose Mourinho always comes with drama and baggage, and while he hasn’t been his usual dramatic self – he has made several hints about the quality and types of players he desires on his squad. In addition he most recently said the fundamental difference between Roma and Atalanta is Gasperini has been in Bergamo for six years, while Mourinho has only been in Roma for six months. This cryptic message can mean a bunch of things – but it most likely alludes to the fact that he has not nearly had the time to establish the type of football he wants to play at Roma. What his type of football is now is a question in of itself, as he doesn’t seem to be the classic low-block coach everyone has grown up knowing – but his set-up against Atalanta will be interesting to follow.
-Luis Muriel rumors have begun to surface regarding his unhappiness about playing time. None of the sources are not even close to reliable, but where there’s smoke there may be a bit of fire. There’s no way he’s replacing Duvan Zapata in the starting XI with the big Colombian’s sterling form, but it will be worth watching Muriel’s form over the next couple of matches, and if he all of a sudden changes his tune once a few goals start falling for him.
Last time out on Christmas weekend, Atalanta gifted its fans four second half goals. A similar showing on Saturday would be a wonderful early Christmas gift. Papa Josip Ilicic led the charge last time out, but hopefully Atalanta doesn’t need the premium services from the magical Slovenian. With Napoli and Milan facing off this weekend, a win on Saturday could be enough to hoist La Dea into 2nd with one match to go before the winter break. And even if the Christmas kit didn’t go as planned, there’s still a lot that can go right for Atalanta with a win one week before Christmas. Let’s go get it, and as always Forza Dea!!!
