Atalanta had a golden opportunity to gain points on both of its Milan rivals, and make the Champion’s League chase far more interesting. Instead, Atalanta now loses ground on Milan and Inter, laying up another goose egg against a solid defensive opponent. The recent offensive displays now feel like mirages, and those goal scoring outputs can likely be more attributed to playing poor defensive opponents rather than any real tactical tweaks. Back to the drawing board…
First Half Thoughts
Its unfortunate that it took an injury to force Gian Piero Gasperini’s hand and put Jeremie Boga on the pitch with Rasmus Hojlund and Ademola Lookman. We’ll hope Mario Pasalic recovers quickly from a nasty ankle twist; but the offense, while not perfect throughout the first half, at least looked more promising upon Boga’s insertion. Oftentimes it seems that Hojlund takes an extra step or two that he doesn’t need to in his build up play, and an extra touch may have prevented him from getting on the scoresheet, giving Adama Soumaore just enough time to lunge back into for a goal saving dive.
Still lots of open spaces for Bologna’s wingers and fullbacks to run into, just fortunate that the isolation quality of Bologna’s personnel doesn’t turn those into dangerous opportunities. But if Juan Musso continues to be nonchalant at the back with his passing, an Atalanta mistake will be all Bologna needs to convert! Musso’s passing has never been great but he seems to regress in every game. I’m fully on-board Atalanta’s Vegas’s “Team Musso No-Pass.”
Momentum started to build for Atalanta in the final fifteen minutes, and should hopefully be a springboard for La Dea to continue mounting offensive pressure in the second half. Ederson had a good half offensively, and I’d like to see him and Boga continue to run at Bologna’s defense especially the less fleet of foot Adama. Bologna is willing to press, and a nifty dribble may be exactly what’s needed to get a break through.
Second Half Thoughts
How quickly everything can unravel… All the good momentum Atalanta built up at the end of the first half disappeared immediate upon resumption. When Atalanta was supposed to go put its throat on Bologna and go for the kill, it was Thiago Motta’s side that did it instead. A lucky bounce goal gave Bologna the lead, and from there it sadly didn’t look like Atalanta had any business getting back into the game.
Offensively there was no intent. Gasperini throws on all his offensive firepower, only for us fans to watch them methodically work the ball up the field like its a game of field possession. Its not Settler’s of Catan where we get a goal at the end of the game for winning the average offensive pitch height at the end!
Hoofball was on point in the second half, and doubly so with Duvan Zapata also entering the fray. Two big target men, and Jeremie Boga wasn’t able to find either of them save for one headed opportunity off a cross. Not even trying to play any one-twos with anyone, either Boga lets himself get far too isolated, or Bologna just set up its defense well to ensure that he was always away from dangerous zones. Knowing how Atalanta likes to win in spite of itself, I’ll pile onto Gasperini and blame him for not putting Boga in a position to succeed (this also goes for the whole offense).
Nick’s Match Ratings
Juan Musso: 5
Berat Djimsiti: 6.5
Jose Luis Palomino: 5.5 – he was in line for MOTM until he giftedRiccardo Orsolini the easiest goal of his career
Giorgio Scalvini: 5.5
Joakim Maehle: 5.5
Davide Zappacosta: 5.5
Ederson: 7
Marten de Roon: 6.5
Mario Pasalic: 6
Ademola Lookman: 5.5
Rasmus Hojlund: 6
Jeremie Boga: 5.5
Duvan Zapata: 5.5
Merih Demiral: 6
Luis Muriel: 6
Gian Piero Gasperini: 5.5
Substitute Decisions: 6
Atalanta Man of the Match – Ederson
The Brazilian had the most offensive intent out of any player, and he had some nifty turns and dribbles that led to some decent opportunities. Going forward, I’d love to see him finish off a couple of those drives without dishing off a safe ball to a teammate who will just recycle it off for possession. Lot’s of space in the middle of the pitch for him and de Roon to cover, not necessarily his fault, but he may be further unleashed with another midfield partner. Teun Koopmeiners does return next week.
Other Match Musings
They say stupidity is the act of doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. The amount of times that the backline hoofed the ball up to Rasmus Hojlund makes this cheeky little quote ring so true. Adama is one of the most physical center backs in the league, and without any sort of runner on the flank for Hojlund to ping the ball into space, why even bother?
I remember going to basketball camps as a kid and we’d do scrimmage games where we weren’t allowed to take more than three dribbles. Essentially the drill was to demonstrate the importance of passing, and working as a team unit, which is great for teaching 8 year olds how to play basketball! But professional athletes, with oodles of top level skill?! I’m so tired of watching Atalanta’s playmakers sit back and just wait for defenses to recover and make it a full strength on full strength possession. Musa Barrow was the exact opposite, and while nothing worked out for him, at least his attempts were moderately more dangerous than what Atalanta conjured.
Standing Scaries
6th – Atalanta – 48 points
7th – Juventus – 44 points
8th – Bologna – 43 points (with the tie breaker)
Juventus can move one point in the rear of Atalanta, and with Fiorentina looking closer and closer to making the Coppa Italia final, Atalanta is positioning itself to miss out on Europe again. There’s a lot of football left, but Atalanta needs to do something fast and drastic to avoid the collapse that we witnessed in last year’s second. Matches like this make it hard to keep the faith, but we’ll do our best! As always, Forza Dea!
