Going forward I thought it’d be fun to drop immediate post match reactions to fully incapsulate either the joy or anger brought about by the match (and then perhaps followed up by a more measured take once the dust settles). Fortunately, today was mostly joy, even though the first half would have suggested otherwise!
First Half
Gian Piero Gasperini continues to frustrate with his questionable lineup choices. If it wasn’t for a Marten de Roon goal off of a lucky deflection, he may have been positioning himself for a fury of angry questions. No offense to Cremonese, but it takes a special kind of lineup to make Atalanta’s neighbors look like La Dea’s equals. Offensive synergy was non existent, and Atalanta completed the deadly double – looking incompetent both in a possession based style as well as on the counter attack. The lack of a playmaker to help be a shuttle between men who should be focused on scoring rather than creating was an issue. Mario Pasalic and Luis Muriel had no business being the creative forces offensively.
But at the end of the day, the score line is all that matters. The defense was good enough to make Cremonese’s seven attempts all look tepid.
Second Half
In a surprise to no one, Gasperini heard the pleas from Twitter, rightly inserting Jeremie Boga and Ademola Lookman into the lineup (no need to tell you who he took off!). And of course, once the offense begins to look much more dangerous, bad luck in the form of a Rafael Toloi handball leading to a penalty goal makes things much more nervous for Atalanta.
While Cremonese’s effort made the game feel much closer, Rasmus Hojlund’s brilliance comes through again, setting up Jeremie Boga for the decisive second goal. It is a surprise to no one but the most stubborn among us that the offense is far superior when Lookman, Boga, and Hojlund all play together. Lookman’s dagger in extra time was almost bolstered by a Hojlund tap-in miss. This is two consecutive games when the offense accelerated into over drive when Gasperini’s best players stepped on the pitch. Maybe he uses the excuse that they needed extra rest after international duty, but if Muriel and Pasalic start against Bologna in one week’s time….
Nick’s Match Ratings
Juan Musso: 6.5
Rafael Toloi: 5.5
Jose Luis Palomino: 7
Giorgio Scalvini: 7
Marten de Roon: 7
Ederson: 7
Davide Zappacosta: 6.5
Matteo Ruggeri: 7
Mario Pasalic: 5
Luis Muriel: 4.5
Duvan Zapata: 6.5
Jeremie Boga: 8
Ademola Lookman: 7
Rasmus Hojlund: 7.5
Joakim Maehle: 6.5
Merih Demiral: n/a
Gian Piero Gasperini: 6
Substitution Decisions: 8
Nick’s Man of the Match – Jeremie Boga
A fine second half performance, supplanted by a goal and a hockey assist. He drove the ball forward when needed, and looked much more confident than he had in recent matches. A special shoutout to Hojlund who over matches pretty much all but the best one on on defenders.
Other Match Musings
Cremonese wasn’t without its chances, and 15 shots demonstrates that. The boys from Cremona were excellent in transition, and were able to move the ball up the pitch in a flash. Some more clever finishing could have made this game closer.
In a tale of two halves, Atalanta certainly invites pressure when the offensive guns come on. It can be frustrating (and nerve wracking) to see Cremonese oftentimes effortlessly progress the ball into Atalanta’s third. Its inevitable sometimes, given the nature of the attack, but the press isn’t on full lockdown to stifle the opponent after lost possession. Michele Castagnetti was a nice Energizer bunny for Cremonese, and it will be up to Atalanta to stop playmakers like him in future outings.
The working relationship between Matteo Ruggeri and Jeremie Boga was something I wasn’t expecting. Both surehanded holding the ball, it turned into making the left flank the most dangerous one. Boga will eventually release Ruggeri into a nice spot to dish in one of his juicy crosses – hopefully it happens more than once.
This has to be the last match that Luis Muriel and Mario Pasalic start. No explanation is needed as to why. There’s still a reason to use one in a pinch as a substitute (especially Pasalic), but its a dangerous game narrowing the window in which Atalanta gives itself to score – especially when no other team in Serie A seems as prone as us in giving away foolish goals that no one asked for.
Far Too Early in the Weekend Live Standings
- Napoli: 71 (Milan)
- Lazio: 52 (Monza)
- Inter: 50 (Fiorentina)
- Milan: 48 (Napoli)
- Atalanta: 48
- Roma: 47 (Sampdoria)
- Juventus: 41 (Verona)
I’m hard pressed to see how Atalanta can stay tied for 4th after this round, but crazier things have happened. And as we saw a desperate Cremonese bring life to its game, maybe Sampdoria does the same against Roma. But rather than relying on others, let’s keep bringing the attack, and earning our own three points! As always, Forza Dea!
