Date: June 28, 2020
Time: 13:30 EST
Since the break Atalanta goes on the road for the first time to relegation contenders Udinese. Last match the club from Udine was the first to be on the losing end of a 7 goal Atalanta defeat. A hat-trick from Luis Muriel, plus a goal from 17-year Amad Traore put Atalanta on the map as an offensive force to be reckoned with.
With their 3rd match in 7 days, fatigue should play an interesting role into how Atalanta responds to a packed fixture schedule. We obviously know the game-plan will be to attack, and there will be no let up and sitting back in defense, but will Gasperini try anything different in setting up his lineups? Both de Roon and Freuler have seen extensive midfield minutes, and if Ilicic is indeed healthy, giving Malinovskyi a start in midfield start is deserved, and I still really want to see what Tameze is capable of.
With all the respect to Udinese, this seems to be the perfect match to tinker with lineups, and give players some needed minutes. We’re still waiting to see Cyzborra and Bellanova. With Castagne in all likelihood on his way out next season, I’d love to see either of them get some time off the bench coming in for either Hateboer or Gosens. But, stubbornly, Gasp is a man set in his ways. If Ilicic is healthy I likely suspect the classic line-up to go along with an all-out attack to keep Udinese at bay.
Regardless Sundays are better with football, and whatever happens on Sunday will be fun and enjoyable as Atalanta matches always are. Let hope for another goal barrage on our quest to 100 Serie A goals, and as always Forza Atalanta!
