Sunday was a good day. Not only did Atalanta win in convincing fashion – and right the wrongs for the end of last season, but its closest rivals in the season long quest to oust Napoli also lost. But while we can revel in Milan and Lazio’s struggles this weekend, we’re obviously here to dive into what made Atalanta click this weekend.
Two goals to the good doesn’t truly reflect the offensive display put forth in Empoli, but per norm this year it was definitely enough to seal the deal and earn three points. An impressive offensive display that was backed by twenty shots, four chances deemed “big chances”, and a dominant press that forced the opposition into plenty of mistakes was almost matched by a stellar defense that gave Juan Musso a relatively easy first day back at the office.
Again Ademola Lookman found himself at the center of the action, and he impressively displayed his versatility to deputize on the left side of the pitch. His five goals (and nearly six if you count the own goal scored against Monza) make him the squad’s leading scorer. I would guarantee next to no one would have picked him to be leading Atalanta’s line so adeptly and so quickly this season. He’s shown the ability to partner with whoever is considered the starting striker, acting as the perfect second striker who hardly ever plays second fiddle in the match.
As great as the climbing goal tally is, it can be bittersweet knowing that his asking price for Premier League teams probably climbs a couple of million euros each time he finds the back of the net. But we’ll hold off on what the future holds for the Nigerian, and just relish in the moment led by him and the rest of the squad. Dominant performances against Sassuolo and Empoli bookending the stinker against Lazio should still have us cautiously optimistic against Lazio. If today’s performance is on display against the Partenopei – then anything could happen!
Nick’s Match Ratings
Juan Musso: 7
Rafael Toloi: 7 – The Captain is back and brings much added ease into the backline.
Merih Demiral: 7
Giorgio Scalvini: 7 – Another strong offensive player the teenager has managed to keep quiet in Nedim Bajrami!
Hans Hateboer: 7.5 – The Dutchman’s first Serie A goal in two years and one month.
Joakim Maehle: 7
Mario Pasalic: 7.5 – His best match of the season, as he looked to find a nice role slotting somewhere between an attacking midfielder and defensive midfielder.
Ederson: 6.5 – I sense he’s close, and looked busier playing a little bit further back, but he’s still trying to adjust to Gasperini and his system.
Teun Koopmeiners: 7 – Good things always happen when Koopmeiners whips crosses or passes into the box from the left.
Ademola Lookman: 7.5
Rasmus Hojlund: 6.5
Berat Djimsiti: 6.5
Duvan Zapata: 6.5
Ruslan Malinovskyi: 6
Nadir Zortea: n/a
Caleb Okoli: n/a
Atalanta Passione Man of the Match – Ademola Lookman
Could it be anyone else? A brilliant goal demonstrating he can create for himself, compliments his knack to find the net when other players are looking to distribute the rock. And much to my enjoyment this weekend, Gian Piero Gasperini did not take him out after 60 minutes!
Three Key Takeaways
- The scoreline did not do xG count in this match justice. A 3.12 to 0.84 mauling in favor of Atalanta was bolstered by Teun Koopmeiner’s missed penalty, but nonetheless Atalanta still dominated most facets of open play. This also marked the 11th time out of 12 matches that Atalanta kept an opponent at 1.0 xG or below. For as well as the offense clicked, the stellar work led by Merih Demiral and his partners cannot be overlooked.
- Nearly all publications were calling Atalanta’s setup as a 3-5-2. While the rigid formation on a website means little, it was evident that neither Mario Pasalic nor Ederson played a true attacking midfield role, opting to drop a bit further back in the midfield. I personally thought this was an interesting and effective look. First it allows for a bit more defensive solidarity, given there’s more of a midfield trio, but it also lets Ederson and Pasalic use there off the ball strengths more frequently. There’s less of them standing around further up the pitch, rather they grow with the attack and dynamically move into the spaces that are being created as the offense marches forward. Its effective, but probably does not last once Marten de Roon comes back into the fold. Although I wouldn’t mind using the setup when Atalanta is the favorite and has to beat teams looking to drop deep.
- Ademola Lookman has now scored goals when paired with Rasmus Hojlund, Duvan Zapata, and Luis Muriel. The question now becomes who is the best striker to pair with Atalanta’s most in form player? Hojlund flashed well today, and his endless hustle can always force defenses into mistakes. I like seeing Hojlund in matches like this, but I’m more curious to see how Gasperini lines up against Napoli, but I do doubt he turns to the teenager to start next week.
With three matches left until the World Cup, the standings are fragile. Next week alone, fans will be treated to Atalanta v. Napoli, Roma v. Lazio, and Juventus v. Inter. No one’s place in the standings is safe, which is why it is so important that Atalanta was able to walk away with three points against Empoli. Minimizing risk by not dropping points that should not be dropped is the best way for Atalanta to continue holding steady at the top of the table. Even better, Atalanta is not just escaping with points, but going out and putting out convincing performances.
The squad could have folded after the Lazio loss, but came out and do what good teams do: bounce back after dubious performances and ensure that negative form doesn’t turn into a negative thought loop and spirals you out of control. Now we get to meet Napoli head on with confidence in what should be a spicy duel between the top two teams in the standings. But until then, let’s celebrate the three points that permitted us an ascent in the table! As always, Forza Dea!
