Serie A Matchday 5 Preview: Monza vs. Atalanta

Date: September 5, 2022
Time: 18:30 CET, 12:30 EST

A Quick Tale of the Tape

Monza: 20th | 0 points | -9 GD | -5.6 xGD

Atalanta: 3rd | 10 points | +5 GD | +3.9 GD

A First Ever Serie A Lombardian Derby

There’s already a first on our hands this Monday in Lombardy. We will have on our hands the first ever meeting of Atalanta and neighbor Monza in the top division. The special occasion isn’t too much of an historical surprise given that this is Monza’s first ever season in Serie A, but nonetheless it is an enjoyable first time event for two of Lombardy’s smaller cities that have continuously had to play second fiddle to Milan.

Monza’s first season in the top division hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts. After a fury of moves that has seen the team transformed from the squad that was in Serie B last season, Silvio Burlesconi’s new pet project still sits last in the division. The likes of Andrea Petagna, Stefano Sensi, Gianluca Caprari, Alessio Cragno, and Atalanta’s own Matteo Pessina have done little to confirm everyone’s offseason notions that Monza would be a sneaky sleeper team to do well this season. Sure its still early and Monza has time to ride the ship, but there are already concerns in Monza’s camp and coach Giovanni Stroppa is already on the hot seat.

Oppositely, Atalanta has responded to a shaky offseason nicely – and was sitting at the top of the table prior to the weekend matches that have catapulted Milan and Napoli to the top (of course Atalanta still has the game in hand). Gian Piero Gasperini and Atalanta’s approach has been different to La Dea’s recently scheduled programming – namely a more passive and patient defense. La Dea is sitting further back, offering less pressure on the ball, and seemingly biding its time to find the perfect moment to pounce and attack. You can’t argue with the results so far, and Gasperini obviously has something cooking in Bergamo. But is this a strategy that can be employed against Monza? Probably, but proceed with caution I’d say. The likes of Caprari, Pessina, and Sensi can make Monza a strong attacking and possession based team, but when you let the likes a heavy underdog dictate the tempo a bit too much….

Monza Player to Watch – Matteo Pessina

Technically still Atalanta’s player, Monza-born Matteo Pessina seemed like a perfect fit to join the newly promoted side. He didn’t have a place in Bergamo, but his skillset was still useful to most Serie A squads. The optics from Pessina going to Monza; however, is great. The local boy, already being promoted captain, and guiding his side through its first ever Serie A season … the headlines write themselves! Like everything and everyone for Monza, Pessina hasn’t gotten off to the best start, but that doesn’t mean he cannot be dangerous. Fortunately hours of practice should have prepared Atalanta’s midfield and defense for all of Pessina’s tricks that will be incoming on Monday.

Atalanta Passione’s Preferred Starting XI

I stand by that Atalanta should continue with the thought experiment that is the 4-2-3-1, but given Gasperini’s use of the back three against Torino, I will work within his formational confines. At the back, Brandon Soppy had a strong debut on the right side that he deserves the chance to repeat his performance. And most importantly it keeps Hans Hateboer in a preferred position as a reserve.

In the midfield, Atalanta has only used Giorgio Scalvini twice for a total of 37 minutes. He hasn’t played since the Milan match, and I have a theory that he has been getting rigorous reps at midfield to help support a thin double pivot. If Scalvini is in Gasperini’s plans as a midfielder, there is no better opponent to test him against than Monza.

Up front Atalanta is already in a predicament. Beyond finding a workable attacking midfield combination, both of Atalanta’s primary striking options are now out. Zapata is injured for a few weeks, and Luis Muriel was mysteriously left off the squad list – we can presume injury for him as well. That puts a lofty weight on teenager Rasmus Hojlund’s shoulders. The Dane showed well in his debut midweek, but he’ll have to be asked to put in a lion’s share of target man’s work – a role he likely hasn’t performed much in his young career. Regardless its excellent on the job training – or a baptism by fire, if you may. The quicker he gets his growing pains out of the way, the faster he’ll become an ideal contributor.

Biggest Key to Victory

Atalanta must not get sucked into Monza’s passing. Its quite rare that a relegation team with zero points and only two goals is still able to maintain possession 54% of the time. On top of that Monza has completed 85.7% of its passes good for third in the league. Its evident that Monza wants to play a possession based game, and recent matches have shown that Atalanta is more than content to let its opponent pass the ball around the pitch. Let them pass, but ensure that spaces get closed down when the ball starts to creep into the danger area. Against Torino in the second half some of the spaces and channels were becoming a bit too bare of black and blue. Gasperini must ensure that this gets closed down with guys like Caprari and Petagna capable of putting in a good shot on target.

Number of the week: 18– While this may be Ruslan Malinovskyi this is also the career Serie A goals among available Atalanta forwards (according to Atalanta’s squad sheet). Jeremie Boga has put away 17 goals in his career, and Ademola Lookman has a lone goal. Fortunately Atalanta has done a good job of spreading its goals around in the early part of the season, but the quantity of shots that have come from strikers is too low to continually rely on the full squad to share goal scoring responsibility. Let’s create some chances for Hojlund on Monday!

With Roma being hoodwinked by Udinese on Sunday, sole possession at the top of the table is Atalanta’s to lose after five matchdays. Being in first after five matches doesn’t mean a whole lot, but it is still is a nice statement to the rest of the league – especially with all of Atalanta’s direct rivals gearing up for European competition and La Dea can ruthlessly prepare for the league schedule. So let’s shoot for that coveted first place position, and continue to show Serie A that the Fairy Tale was never a Fairy Tale but the result of a good plan, good people, and even better execution. As always, Forza Dea!!!

Nick