Defensive masterclass is not the first phrase that comes to mind when describing an Atalanta victory. But against all the odds that’s what the boys in blue and black pulled off, a masterstroke from Gasperini. Only needing a draw to pass through to the round of 16, Atalanta’s game plan was to play for that single point – and no one on the pitch disappointed. An incredibly mature performance, with minimal defensive errors, was capped off with a perfectly weighted pass by Freuler to Muriel who shimmied around Onana to put the final nail in Ajax’s coffin.
Wednesday’s match was an embodiment of pretty much everything Atalanta has endured so far this season. Fighting on two fronts hasn’t been easy for the boys from Bergamo, and their Serie A form increasingly suffered as a result. Rather than pointing fingers and playing the blame game (contrary to what the media may have you believe), the team buckled down, learned from their errors and did what was necessary to advance to the final 16. They did the same against Liverpool, and the same against Midtjylland, and followed through similarly against Ajax. No longer do we have a team that will just bomb down the field and try to outslug the other club, but instead, a club who is patient, one that picks its opportunities, and strikes to kill when that opportunity presents itself.
Not surprisingly it all starts with an effective spine through the middle. In baseball its common to build your team up the middle with a strong catcher, shortstop, and centerfielder (and of course pitching), and Atalanta has almost inadvertently adopted a similar mindset. Of course Papu is the pulse of the team as the CAM, but the insertion of Cristian Romero into the middle of the defense started making the team click in all other facets. His bravery, speed, and anticipation sets the rest of the team up to do their thing, and not have everyone running back like headless chickens to cover a counter-attack. His poise pulses up the pitch to Freuler (and now Pessina too), Papu, and Duvan who are beginning to start doing more of the little things that when added up are just as important as pouring in goals. The defense against Ajax smothered Klaasen in the middle of the pitch that saw Schuurs and Martinez constantly passing back and forth with hardly an outlet to get the ball out to the playmakers in Tadic and Antony. The setup was very similar against Liverpool, and its quite something to watch Atalanta deliver pressure but also absorb attacks when the press is beat. They’re finally starting to slowly put the rumor that they cannot defend to bed.
While shoring up defensive duties and confusing opposition’s offenses is all well in good, La Dea’s own offense is still seeking its identity a little. Papu is still doing Papu things, Zapata needs to get a goal yesterday; but still puts so much effort in on the press and target-man duties, and Muriel can still be mercurial. The next several Serie A games with additional rest will be very telling to see how Atalanta get on as a club. Miranchuk has had no luck getting into the lineup. In fact none of our attacking lefties have had great luck this year, but I think getting one of them on track is the final missing puzzle piece to an Atalanta squad that can finally be considered well rounded. It sounds crazy to say, but from defense to the midfield to the attack, the weakest spot on the field may be the vice-captain in Toloi!
If this Champion’s League has taught me one thing, its that being a one trick pony doesn’t get you anywhere. Atalanta learned that lesson against Man City last year, and again against Liverpool this year. Instead of succumbing to the trap of Einstein’s definition of stupidity, Atalanta adapted, found new ways to win, and matured by leaps in bounds in only several months. While I’m grateful for a few months off of Champion’s League football, I can’t wait to see what the club has in store when they face one of the big boys in the Round of 16! Bravo boys, and as always Forza Atalanta!
