Date: March 10, 2022
Time: 21:00 CET
European nights continue for Atalanta as the boys take on their Bundesliga twins in Bayer Leverkusen. Arguably the worst draw La Dea could have gotten for the quarterfinals, the old adage that you have to beat the best teams to win it all has never rung truer. And Bayer Leverkusen were probably the most dangerous team remaining out of the remaining Europa League group winners. Currently sitting 3rd in the Bundesliga, Team Aspirin has scored an astonishing 64 goals in Germany this year, and would be on pace for 100 goals this year if the Bundesliga had twenty teams.
But with the good comes the bad. They have let in a shocking 40 goals on the year, not even a level that Atalanta’s previous heart attack defenses managed. So for the neutral this looks like a doozy – constant running up and down the pitch, and goals galore. Maybe… With Atalanta’s well documented recent scoring woes, all bets are off if Atalanta can take advantage of Leverkusen’s suspect defense. But perhaps a leaky defense is just what Atalanta needs to get back on track. First things first, let’s make sure Bayer’s dynamic front line is held in check.
Leverkusen Player to Watch- Florian Wirtz
Only two players under the age of twenty have a higher transfer value than Leverkusen’s eighteen year old juggernaut – Pedri and Jude Bellingham. And in our unbalanced biased media that fawns over the Spanish bigs and the English, the two aforementioned players get the accolades while Wirtz must let his play do the talking for him. And has it ever. Wirtz has erupted this year, netting seven goals and dishing out ten assists to the likes of Patrick Schick and Moussa Diaby. His rare combination of flair and speed will cause whoever is tasked with man marking him fits. He’s probably Marten de Roon’s man, and will be his biggest marking challenge all year.
Atalanta Passione’s Predicted Starting XI
There should be no messing around for Atalanta this week who need to maximize value on the pitch and insert all its best players. The backline is self-explanatory. Back four experiments have been dire for Gian Piero Gasperini this year, so the faithful back three will be tasked with slowing a frontline that could have three legitimate goal scorers on the pitch.
If Merih Demiral and the gang can hold firm, look to the midfield to take over and show its worth. The Inter model that includes a midfield three always seems to be the antidote Atalanta needs to get over the hump in hard times. With only one out of form striker at disposal, these qualify as hard times. Teun Koopmeiners continues to be excellent anywhere he is on the pitch, and he should have the quality to lead a midfield trio that should be able to control the middle of the pitch better.
Up front Luis Muriel has to break out eventually, right? The only problem may be Leverkusen’s Ecuadorian centerback throwing out South American voodoo that prevents Colombians from scoring on their home continent. Besides that, regardless of whichever attacking midfielder or striker is thrown on – shots should be available.
Three Small Keys to A Big Step Forward in the Draw
Always Be Moving (with a twist)- No team in the Bundesliga has been booked more than Leverkusen this year. Without knowing exactly why, it is easiest to assume that it is a combination of aggressive (or bad) defensive positioning and trailing plays. Atalanta must not give Leverkusen to get behind the ball, as they’ll likely look to recover on defense through daring tackles – especially when close to the box if Atalanta needs a hit from Ruslan Malinovskyi to get on the scoresheet and awake a dormant offense.
Win The Set Piece Battle- Leverkusen knows how to score from set pieces and also cannot defend against them. Leverkusen has permitted a shocking 14 goals from set pieces in the Bundesliga this year. While Atalanta has been stingy on defense against the set piece, two goals scored (including Malinovskyi’s screamer against Juventus) is a poor return for a team that seemingly has so many good free kick takers. Perhaps this is the day for regression to the mean.
Clog the Middle of the Pitch Defensively- Leverkusen’s strength is all in the middle of the pitch. Wirtz works his magic through the middle, as well as Diaby and Schick. Leverkusen tends to work more offense than the average team through the middle of the pitch – and an appropriately established defensive wall could force the German side into some difficulty in maneuvering on the flanks.
Perhaps weekdays are what Atalanta needs to score currently. Going back in time: Atalanta plays Sampdoria on a Monday- four goals, Olympiacos on a Thursday – three goals, Olympicaos on a Thursday – two goals. Whereas in La Dea’s last three weekend matches: one measly goal. Trying to find silver linings in the most random places a fun yet futile exercise. Atalanta just needs to get off the pine from the first whistle determined to score. No messing around, just an indominable will to put the ball in the back of the net; because for sure that will be Leverkusen’s mentality. And if you don’t have the defensive chops to stop them, may as well join them and see which teams is the fastest horse in town. Regardless of the score, we may have won of the most exciting draws in European competition this year, let’s hope it lives up to the hype – and of course an Atalanta advancement! As always, Forza Dea!!!
