We all watched the match, there really a lot that can be garnered from a deep retrospective analysis. Milan took down Atalanta 2-0 in a fashion that so many other teams have this year. Tepid offense and porous counterattack prevention defense was the dagger that probably put Atalanta outside of European contention next year.
The saddest aspect of the crumbling against the likely Scudetto winners was the passive tactic that played right into Milan’s hands. As an Atalantino, you don’t necessarily mind the defensive attack with both Mario Pasalic and Matteo Pessina on the pitch – but also adding Luis Muriel into the mix made it far too easy for Milan at the back. The Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori combo is probably the best duo in the league when it comes to winning ground duels.
So of course in true Atalanta fashion, the plan of attack to beat Milan comes through intricate dribbling and passing through the channels.
The lack of Duvan Zapata to use strength to combat Milan’s defensive speed was a glaring miss. Among centerbacks who have played at least half of the Serie A minutes this year, Kalulu rates worst when it comes to aerial victory rate, and Tomori is 8th worst. That could’ve been the key to unlock a stingy defense that is great at keeping everything in front of it. When Zapata finally came on in the second half, is strength was more problematic for the Nerorossi, but it was too late by then. Atalanta had to commit too many men forward and La Dea begrudgingly gave Milan one of their goals of the season, barely putting a finger on Theo Hernandez as he scampered fifty yards downfield. And then it was all over.
Atalanta Passione’s Match Ratings
Goalkeeper – 5.5: Good command of the zone from Juan Musso, but he likely could have done more on both concessions, and his distribution was weak again.
Defense – 7: The back three did quite well, and was let down by the acres of space left open in the middle of the pitch.
Wingbacks – 5: Hans Hateboer and his legendary touch was on fine form again. Opposite, Davide Zappacosta’s touch was on point, but he became hesitant in the final third – and all of his chances just fizzled out.
Midfield – 5.5: Not the best match from the Teun Koopmeiners and Remo Freuler pairing. Koopmeiner’s long ball was on point again, but none of these passes led to any attacking threat.
Attack – 5: A timid effort from the trio that looked more content to hold serve rather than try to attack the Milan zone.
Substitutes – 6: It was a mixed bag from the substitutes. Zapata at least injected some life into the offense. But Ruslan Malinovskyi and Jeremie Boga were both ineffective creating any chances.
Atalanta Passione’s Man of the Match – Marten de Roon
Perhaps the only positive of the match was Marten de Roon’s man marking on Rafael Leao. It was painfully evident that de Roon’s task was to sit back and effectively isolate Leao, making it as close to a 10 v. 10 match as possible. In fact he did quite well! The only opportunities Leao really had was when he broke free from his left side of the pitch. Sadly one of those chances put Leao on Koopmeiners, in which the Portuguese neatly five-holed Musso.
Europe is likely out of Atalanta’s grasp. La Dea need a minor miracle with all of Lazio, Fiorentina, and Roma losing the remaining five matches they play. At the end of the day, La Dea have no one to blame but themselves. We can harp about questionable referee calls all day, but the truth boils down to Atalanta being painfully ineffective in the final quarter of the pitch (both offensively and defensively). It’s the story of the season, and the primary reason why Atalanta underperforms compared to advanced metrics relative to the other top teams in the league. Let’s at least hope the boys can close out the season and gives the fans something good to cheer about against Empoli, cause it may be a painful yet interesting summertime. But regardless, we march on and keep the faith – and as always, Forza Dea!!!
