There’s two phrases I’d never thought I be writing in the same sentence, at any point of the season! But yes, Atalanta’s ‘top-player’ had himself a night, netting all three of Atalanta’s goals on the way to La Dea’s 3-1 victory over Torino. Similar to how many of La Dea’s early season contests have gone this season – it was not easy. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men were able to limit the mistakes, force Torino into mistakes, and play an excellent brand of bend but don’t break defense.
It’s been an unglamorous yet effective brand of football so far, yet sufficient enough to have Atalanta tied at the top of the table with Roma. Being top of the table after four matches isn’t a lot to write home about, but it is still a great statement to send out to the rest of the league’s top teams as they get set for their clogged European schedules. Atalanta may not have figured out its true identity yet, but the boys aren’t going anywhere – and they will fight tooth and nail along the way!
Three Big Takeaways
- Duvan Zapata’s injury forces Atalanta to change its offensive strategy. While the current strategy hasn’t been too effective so far, Rasmus Hojlund, while admirable in his debut, isn’t ready to take on the lion’s share of target man work. Even Teun Koopmeiners and Mario Pasalic seemed to be contesting more headers in the second half than the burly Dane. Which is fine in its own right! Hojlund’s energy off the ball to force defenders into mistakes is likely better served running into spaces rather than being static and fighting for headers against capable centerbacks.
- The defense, particularly Merih Demiral, has been heroic so far, and it was no different against Torino. In four matches, Atalanta has conceded only 2.6 xGA, basically tied for first with Roma and Milan at 2.5 xGA. It perhaps shows a change in strategy from Gasperini to be positive at the back first, and then let offense flow from that base of defensive solidarity. Case in point with the offense, Atalanta is also 4th worst in the league in pass percentage completed – although this metric is a bit skewed given that La Dea has faced three of the hardest pressing teams in the league so far – Milan, Hellas, and Torino.
- Positivity on the flanks is a welcome sign. Even if Brandon Soppy is young and raw, him trying to make things happen is a sight for sore eyes on the right hand side of the pitch. Hans Hateboer never draws that penalty at the eve of halftime against Ola Aina. Oppositely Davide Zappacosta on the left demonstrates a strong directness that Maehle doesn’t necessarily possess – and I think will continue to force defense to make quick decisions that sometimes may not go as planned (case in point with the Soppy penalty)
Atalanta Passione’s Match Ratings
Juan Musso: 7
Rafael Toloi: 7
Merih Demiral: 8 – A heroic performance that was MOTM worthy, if not for a specific Dutch midfielder.
Caleb Okoli: 5.5 – He had a rough match, and was the main reason Vlasic scored and Linetty clanked the crossbar.
Brandon Soppy: 7
Davide Zappacosta: 6.5
Marten de Roon: 7
Teun Koopmeiners: 8.5 – His hattrick may have been completed with two penalties, but three goals is three goals!
Mario Pasalic: 6.5
Ederson: 6.5
Duvan Zapata: 6
Rasmus Hojlund: 6.5 – A good debut for the youngster. Even though he didn’t contribute any shots, his energy and determination helped Atalanta win balls back in some nice areas.
Nadir Zortea: 6.5
Ademola Lookman: 6
Ruslan Malinovskyi: 6.5
Matteo Ruggeri: 6.5 – He flashed nicely in his season debut at left centerback – this is a good situation to monitor!
Atalanta Passione Man of the Match – Teun Koopmeiners
Could it be anyone else? Besides the hattrick, which is brilliant in his own right, he was a constant presence in the buildup, and shoring up midfield frailties once Hojlund came on. With four goals on the season, Koopmeiners is now tied for the league lead in goals, and may be positioning himself to hit double digit goals by the end of the campaign.
Some Fun With Numbers
Atalanta xG: 2.98 | Torino xG: 0.44 – Two penalties definitely helps to inflate the expected goals tally, but Atalanta had its fair share of good chances from open play as well. More impressive is holding Torino to less than half a goal, which goes along nicely with Atalanta’s current brand of secure defense.
Teun Koopmeiner’s goal from outside the box had an xG of 0.02 – his second such goal in as many weeks that had less than a 3% chance of being converted. When the easy chances (Demiral’s volley and Zapata’s breakaway don’t fall) it’s nice that the probability gods still reward Atalanta by permitting the most unlikely of goals to find the net!
This is Atalanta’s fourth consecutive match not winning the possession battle. The ability to churn out 3 xG on 40% possession is impressive. If Atalanta can truly get the counter attack working with Workman, Soppy, and Hojlund – Gasperini just may be onto something.
Beating Torino may feel like an expected outcome, but Atalanta and its faithful should not underestimate the importance of a victory like this. The ability to not falter once Duvan went off, and to continue pounding the net when opportunistic moments arose is admirable.
There’s still rust to shake off, and I think most in Atalanta’s camp would like to see some crispness come through in its possession and build-up. But that comes with time. Atalanta had all of its new signings on the pitch, and at least three were sharing the pitch simultaneously. The bond between the players still needs to be worked out and blossom. Its encouraging to think we may be getting there! As long as the defense can continue to be stellar, and incremental improvements come on offense week after week, then its time to get pumped! Great victory, and as always Forza Dea!!!
