An Atalanta Football Philosophy- Introduction

Few individuals in any industry have garnered success by resting on their laurels.  Well maybe kings, queens, and dictators but they’ve always had an uneven playing field – and shall we say a ‘different’ point of view on the definition of success.

Nonetheless, being able to roll with change and be at the forefront of strategic and tactical innovation has always defined success in nearly all sporting areas.  Especially when the playing field, read this as money, is uneven.  A whale in a league full of minnows may be able to brute force its way through a league solely due to the size of its pockets; thus, forgoing any real economic, tactical, statistical, or biometric innovation.  But if you are deemed to be a minor, or perhaps a tuna somewhere in the middle of the fish spectrum, a lack of innovation thrusts you into sporting purgatory, or slowly watching your inevitable demise down the league standings, and in football’s case into relegation.

For years Atalanta has been the poster child of innovation in Italy that has recently been devoid of any creativity worth creating elsewhere.  Both off and on the pitch, a symbiosis entangling the players, coaching staff, scouts, and directors has permitted La Dea to thrive, punching way above its economic weight, yet still remaining a profitable enterprise.  Even with a constant rotating door that has seen Atalanta’s best players go onto perceived greener pastures, Atalanta’s results have hardly suffered.  Three straight Champion’s League campaigns on a modest budget would make most front offices blush, and is a rewarding payoff for the hard work the staff has done.

However, as good as Atalanta’s recent stretch has been, there are some early indications that there may be a small chink in the armor of the on-field production.  Some of it has to do with the growing quality of the league.  Sassuolo, Hellas Verona, and Torino have adopted more aggressive styles of play.  And right now in Serie A you would not be crazy to suggest that twelve teams have a reasonable good chance of fighting for a Top 7 finish and a chance at European football (Inter, Milan, Napoli, Atalanta, Juventus, Roma, Fiorentina, Lazio, Hellas Verona, Sassuolo, Torino, and Bologna for those playing at home).  The league is as deep as ever now, with no team looking like a flashing in the pan, one season wonder.  Hellas Verona, the obvious candidate to dubiously fall into this category, has emerged even stronger after the loss of its coach, Ivan Juric, who instilled a winning mentality at the club.

While the league begins to become slightly less top heavy, and has adapted a bit better to Atalanta’s previously curious tactics, it may be time to take a quick reflection on if anything needs to be tweaked inside the confines of the Gewiss Stadium.  Atalanta still may be scoring for fun (currently sitting 3^rd in the division); however, the firepower looks to be cooling a bit.  And let’s not get started on the transition defense!

Right now, Atalanta’s quality combined with its tactical setup is sufficient to rub shoulders with the rest of Italy and fight for European spots.  But is it enough to consistently compete in the near future?  Or is it enough to reasonably challenge for a Scudetto?  This is more uncertain. This series is not meant to be a downer, far from it.  More so, it will delve into Atalanta’s tactical ideas, expand upon them, and eventually put forth a new look tactic, that could prevent Gian Piero Gasperini and his staff from falling into a tactical rut.  I’ll explain the current problem, and opine (perhaps harangue) about some radical solutions, and how they can be dialed back into a potential tactic for future Atalanta teams.  Criticism is always welcome, and I welcome a bit of debate.  Because, at the end of the day, who are we but casual analysts shacked up inside of an ivory tower?  Please enjoy, and be on the lookout for new drops throughout the winter months!