Date: January 9, 2023
Time: 20:45 CET | 14:45 EST
A Quick Tale of the Tape
Bologna: 11th | 19 points | -6 GD | -4.5 xGD
Atalanta: 7th | 28 points | +7 GD | +9.2 xGD
Atalanta’s adventures in 2023 haven’t got off to the greatest of starts, so Gian Piero Gasperini and crew look to ride the ship on Monday Night Football against Bologna. Bologna was one of the few teams last season that failed to score against La Dea. In the grand scheme of things that little tidbit doesn’t mean a whole lot, given Atalanta’s own failure to provide any meaningful pressure against the Rossoblu – with Dea’s only goal coming on Moustapha Cisse’s debut.
Life against Bologna won’t be much different this season. The current epitome of midtable this season, 11th placed Bologna is an often overlooked, but still interesting concoction of players from all walks of life. From guys winding down storied careers (Gary Medel) to good young Italian players (Andrea Cambiaso) to talented players who haven’t quite figured it out yet (Riccardo Orsolini). On top of that, we’ve already seen a bit of what Giovanni Sartori hopes to do as Sporting Director, with interesting signings like Lewis Ferguson and Colombian Jhon Lucumi.
Still with collection of good names assembled at Bologna, it is still a squad that Atalanta should be able to take the game to. Bottom half in the league in both expected goals and expected goals allowed, beating Bologna should be the expectation going into this match. Expectations tend to mean very little to Atalanta these days, but a good performance away from the Gewiss on Monday could help to ease a lot of apprehension that has been creeping up in the Bergamo camp.
Nick’s Preferred Starting XI
Besides the insertion of Marco Sportiello at keeper (for a presumed Juan Musso injury), this lineup is no different to the one I selected against Spezia. Out of all the Atalanta lineup permutations available, this remains one of the youngest possibilities. More important than the age is the ceiling this squad could potentially reach. Will it reach that optimum height? Probably not, but never giving it a chance will certainly guarantee that maximum potential is never realized.
The most important inclusion in this squad is Rasmus Hojlund. Everyone saw against Spezia the dynamism he can bring, and his springy step can get him the separation he needs to actually get shots on target. Leading Atalanta in shots on target per 90, Hojlund will only continue to outpace his teammates as his skill continues to reach his confidence.
One spot on the pitch against Spezia that did coincide with my hopes was the midfield. Unfortunately the performance was suboptimal, but the appropriate three players were manning the middle of the pitch. Koopmeiners is already a stud, but it will come down to Ederson to be more consistent game in and game out. Gary Medel will outmuscle his opposition more than the likes of Simeone Bastoni, so if the Brazilian doesn’t bring a Copa Libertadores like intensity to the match, it could spell more trouble from him. Fortunately Marten de Roon is always ready to give a hand in aggression, but its always better when both pieces of the pivot offer a bite in the middle of the pitch.
Atalanta Player to Watch – Teun Koopmeiners
Apparently the Dutchman is becoming a preferred choice for Gian PIero Gasperini as an attacking option. The man can really do no wrong regardless of where he plays on the pitch. With an attack that can sometimes struggle to get the ball from the midfield to the opposition’s penalty box, its time to see what Koopmeiners can replicate against a stingier defense. If its anything like the 1.15 expected assists, and 10 passes into the final third completed against Spezia – then we shouldn’t be too concerned.
Both Lazio and Roma dropped points over the weekend. A win for Atalanta then means a three way tie for fifth place in the table. Amid all the angsty rumors about discord among the squad and even Gian Piero Gasperini being on the hot seat, its still quite impressive that the squad is even in an enviable position for most other teams in the league.
In fact, our expectations have gotten so lofty that we reached a point of coaching and personnel discontentment while being in European places! One its quite a rise for the club to be so ambitious that 7th place is deemed close to unacceptable. Second, there’s a fine line between when a cold streak is more than just a blip in the radar. Is Atalanta’s recent run of form merely a cold streak or a sign of something deeper? I envision we’d have a full answer once the January window closes, but a victory against Bologna would do an awful lot to quell a lot of anxiety in Lombardy. Do we got it in us? I think we do – so let’s get at, attack early, be safe on defense, and take it to Bologna! As always, Forza Dea!
