Atalanta embarks this season in a much different way than previous campaigns. Everyone knows last year’s disaster that led to La Dea missing out on European competition for the first time in years. But it has been the uneven offseason that has left many Atalanta faithful confused on the club’s strategy and vision as it heads into the campaign.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the hype of unfortunate and negative news that has been circling the club (more on that later), but even with seemingly more subtractions than additions to the squad – it cannot be forgotten that the base and the template for a Champion’s League club still exists in Bergamo. The question remains, can Gian Piero Gasperini and his squad figure out to maximize everyone’s talents and outduel competition that retooled in serious ways?
A Count of Notable Additions and Departures
Additions
Caleb Okoli
While the young Italian has been present on Atalanta’s long term books, this is the first chance La Dea will actually get to see Okoli on the field in black and blue. His preseason has been encouraging so far, and he will have to grow up quick to take the place of likely suspended defender Jose Luis Palomino.
Ederson
As Lee Congerton and Tony D’Amico’s first signing, Ederson will have a lot riding on him. With the uncertainty surrounding Remo Freuler and a move to the Premier League, the Brazilian (just like) Okoli may be thrust into the starting lineup quicker than expected. Fortunately, Ederson has the tools to become an elite box-to-box midfielder – but can he exude the leadership that will likely depart along with Freuler?
Ademola Lookman
The former RB Leipzig prospect feels like a pure Lee Congerton play, as both are familiar with each other after Lookman spent last year at Leicester City on loan. This move comes as a bit of a surprise, given Atalanta’s apparent depth in attack, but maybe there is a play to move him further back onto the flanks where his strong defense could be coupled with his offense. Congerton likely thinks highly of him after his time an England, and that should be worth the price of admission early in Congerton’s tenure.
Departures
Loan Deals
- Aleksei Miranchuk (Torino)
- Roberto Piccoli (Hellas Verona)
- Moustapha Cisse (Pisa)
- Alessandro Cortinovis (Hellas Verona)
- Pierluigi Gollini (Fiorentina)
- Matteo Pessina (Monza)
- Sam Lammers (Empoli)
- Nicolo Cambiaghi (Empoli)
No one on this list stands out as a must have on the squad this year. A lot of players will get a chance to be thoroughly tested in Serie A, and perhaps a make a case for the first team next year. Either through obligation to buy or option to buy it is likely that Miranchuk, Gollini, and Pessina will not be back in Bergamo as employees going forward. Do keep an eye on how Cambiaghi and Cortinovis perform this year. Cambiaghi has been a true pop-up prospect, and may have the skill needed to perform at a high level for Atalanta in the future
Permanent Departures
- Arkadiusz Reca (Spezia)
- Viktor Kovalenko (Spezia)
- Matteo Lovato (Salernitana)
- Bosko Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreg)
- Rodrigo Guth (Fortuna Sittard)
- Enrico Del Prato (Parma)
- Filippo Melegoni (Genoa)
Somehow through bits and pieces transfer moves, Atalanta was able to garner over 20 million euros for the list of players above, a decent return for players unlikely to feature for Gasperini now or in the future. La Dea was essentially able to finance the Ederson deal purely through small play deals (an added benefit of being a academy and recruiting powerhouse).
Probable Departure – Remo Freuler
Even if you chose the darkest of Atalanta timelines, it felt like Remo Freuler would still be there manning the midfield and playing every single match. Now with Nottingham Forest shaking things up, it looks like Atalanta’s pulse in the midfield may be departing for a paltry seven figures fee. This one hasn’t been announced yet, but where there’s smoke there’s often fire – even in the crazy world of football transfers.
…. as an aside there are reports that Ruslan Malinovskyi could also be on the way to Nottingham. Rumors are a bit more lukewarm on this front, so it doesn’t feel right to assume he will depart, yet.
Suspensions – Jose Luis Palomino
Even with the testing of Palomino’s second sample, it is likely that Atalanta will be without its most consistent performer last year. A shame on multiple fronts, let’s at least try to spin it positively as this gives Caleb Okoli a chance to shine.
The Current Roster
Now that all the current transfers are settled, it leaves Atalanta a bit short in some key areas. Its difficult to balance playing only 38 matches this year, planning for injuries, but also giving everyone sufficient playing time. And while I think overall the squad has good depth to battle in just Serie A and the Coppa Italia – Gasperini still is a player or two short for the squad to be deemed complete.
Goalkeeper: Juan Musso, Marco Sportiello, and Francesco Rossi
Likely the position with the least amount of depth problems
Defense: Rafael Toloi, Merih Demiral, Berat Djimsiti, Giorgio Scalvini, Caleb Okoli, and Marten de Roon (?)
Even without Jose Luis, Atalanta still has numerous options at defense, but all come with an interesting set of baggage that could make the depth dwindle quickly. Most notably, Gasperini’s early insistence on making Scalvini a midfielder makes the depth much more concerning, especially with both Toloi and Demiral being extremely injury prone. Berat Djimsiti
Wingbacks: Davide Zappacosta, Hans Hateboer, Joakim Maehle, Nadir Zortea, and Matteo Ruggeri
On paper five players for two positions seems ideal. Then you realize that only Zappacosta is the most and only reliable member of this list. A breakout from Maehle and Zortea could ease a lot of the tensions, but Atalanta’s previous strength at wingback is quickly becoming a liability. Zappacosta plus one of the names above could be the makings of a sound wingback pairing – but who will be the one to step up?
Midfield: Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Mario Pasalic, and Giorgio Scalvini (?)
With Remo Freuler leaving for England, the midfield should be the Teun Koopmeiners show. The question remains, who will be paired with him? Ederson makes the most sense, as his game resembles Freuler’s the closest. But of course, steady Marten de Roon and the Giorgio Scalvini project will take minutes away from Ederson.
Attacking Midfield: Ruslan Malinovskyi, Jeremie Boga, Mario Pasalic, Ademola Lookman, Ederson, and Josip Ilicic (?)
This lineup looks extremely different if Malinovskyi is on the way out, but there is a lot of depth and players with different skillsets that can still contribute. This is Boga’s time to shine, and day after day it looks like this will become his offense to drive – if he is ready. Mario Pasalic, as always, lingers around and becomes the forgotten man – but he will still have enough class to put away between eight and ten goals.
Central Forwards: Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel
I think most would feel better if there was a third attacking option to offset Zapata’s proneness to injury, and Muriel’s proneness to disappearing. I continue to posit that Pasalic can make a great shadow striker, but he needs the presence of one of the Colombians to make that dream a reality. Atalanta lost out on Pinamonti (rightly or wrongly) and may have to scramble for one more deal to solidify the center forward position.
An Ideal Starting XI
Atalanta’s “good problem to have” remains. There still isn’t an obvious starting XI that makes it easy to pencil into the lineup sheet each week. In lieu of above, someone could make the argument to start either Djimsiti or Okoli at centerback, Zortea or Hateboer at wingback, or de Roon in central midfield, or Pasalic in attack, and there would be little disagreement that the team would be notably weaker or stronger than the one presented above. The problem becomes getting one unit consistently comfortable with one another, and having the rotations guys happy with being rotation guys.
The first month may be shaky as Gasperini tries to find his best eleven, but then again all teams are going through a similar situation.
Some Bold (Maybe Not So Bold) Predictions
With so much squad influx ongoing it feels futile to make predictions, but we gotta have something before kicking off against Sampdoria on Saturday!
- Top Goalscorer: Duvan Zapata
- Top Assistman: Mario Pasalic
- Most Yellowcards: Ruslan Malinovskyi
- Most Goals (non-attacker): Ederson
- Juan Musso Cleansheets?: Eight
- Who plays the most minutes at RWB?: Hans Hateboer (somehow)
- Giorgio Scalvini plays more minutes at centerback or central midfield? centerback
- Marten de Roon plays more minutes at centerback or central midfield? central midfield
- Atalanta’s most used double pivot: Ederson and Teun Koopmeiners
- Who Has More Goals + Assists? Ruslan Malinovskyi or Jeremie Boga: Boga
- Who Plays More Minutes? Caleb Okoli or Berat Djimsiti? Okoli
- Atalanta’s Expected Threat Leader (proxy for most dangerous attacker): Koopmeiners
- Biggest Revelation: Caleb Okoli
- Biggest Disappointment: Rafael Toloi
- How Many More Moves Does Atalanta Make Before the Transfer Window Closes? two
- Coppa Italia Results: Reach the quarterfinals
- Serie A Results: …
An offseason highlighted by confusion and unevenness will likely carry into the regular season. But with this Atalanta team it is almost impossible to predict what will happen. Finishing top 4 and fighting for the Scudetto into the last two months feels equally likely to the team imploding, Gasperini leaving, and finishing in 12th place. This doesn’t feel like a year for middle ground. Either Gasperini can somehow turn the ship with his new management partners, or it doesn’t work. Its a pivotal season in Atalanta lore, and while the unknown can be nerve-wracking, the journey – as it always is – will be a joy ride. I cannot wait to share it all with you! And as always, Forza Dea!!!
