Date: October 4, 2020
Time: 6:30 EST
We’re only three matches into the season, and Atalanta is already playing their 3rd match in 8 days. No rest for the weary! Not as if Atalanta have really needed a rest, they’ve cruised past both Torino and Scudetto hopefuls Lazio, and look to carry their momentum into Sunday’s early fixture against the boys from Sardinia. Cagliari gave Atalanta fits last year, beating them at home, and also scraping out a 1-0 loss with 10 men in which Atalanta hit goalkeeper Cragno with a barrage of on-target shots. To me, it sounds like a perfect time to get some revenge, assert some dominance, and keep the high flying offense clicking on all cylinders.
While the offense is obviously the main focal point of Atalanta’s 11, the defensive back three will perhaps be under the most pressure against Cagliari. With Toloi out (is he Atalanta’s COVID case?) and Caldara out with injury, its almost a guarantee that we’ll see a Romero, Palomino, and Djimsiti as the back three. Palomino has been excellent so far this season, and will probably be tasked with man marking Simeone (after his strong performance against Caicedo). It will be interesting to see who Gasperini wants on the right side to help slow Joao Pedro. He’s already shown to play Djimsiti outside his usual left handed side, and perhaps he opts for that again to give Romero an “easier” transition into the starting rotation. Regardless, being only four deep at the back, the centerbacks will be key to applying their classic pressure but not putting themselves in any precarious booking situations.
Beyond the centerbacks, the flying Dutchmen Hateboer and Gosens have been on fire so far, but have played nearly every minute so far putting in miles up and down the pitch. With Piccini still injured, and Gasperini most likely not ready to trust recent acquisition from Sampdoria Fabio Depaoli, it looks like the Dutch will be back to their heavy work rate ways once again. Mojica has got early minutes in place of Gosens in both matches so far, but I still doubt that Gasperini gets creative, especially with the international break coming up and the potential opportunity for the boys to rest.
Offensively you can’t complain with 4 goals per match coming from all sorts of places. Papu Gomez continues to stun, getting better every match, but its still supremely important to get Zapata on the scoresheet and some confidence to find the net. He’s been great as a decoy and holding up play so far, but Il Toro is equipped to do so much more for La Dea, and having him find the back of the net is essential for La Dea’s offense, since relying on wingback and midfield goals the entire season is not a recipe for success.
Speaking of that midfield, can we get a backup for Remo and Marten??? Pasalic has displayed time and time again he’s not equipped for a double pivot, and a backup for the starters is still paramount. When Freuler and de Roon are on the pitch together, its wonderful, but when someone else is giving them a breather the pulse of the midfield is lost. The transfer window is nearly coming to an end, and I fear we’ll have to settle with our current midfield set up.
On paper Atalanta should be able to charge on against Cagliari. However, Cagliari is as stingy as they come in Serie A and know how to give their opponents fits as demonstrated by squeezing out a 1-1 draw against offensive juggernaut Sassuolo, and giving Lazio everything they could handle last week. The prospect of Nainggolan returning, could provide a moral spark to Cagliari (even if he’s not there yet), but all in all there’s no reason for Atalanta to think they can be on cruise control. Just look to last season matches…. Yet in the end, its great to finally be kicking off at Gewiss Stadium for the first time this season, and lets christen the updated grounds with another 3 points. I’ll be up at 6:30 to cheer on the boys (I hate these early starting time), sleepy but excited for another glorious Calcio Sunday. As always, Forza Atalanta!
