Atalanta Bergamo – AS Roma: Dynamic Forwards Edge Atalanta Closer To The Grandest Stage (2-1)

Atalanta Bergamo will almost certainly re-enter the Champions League, with a different arrangement than their last appearance two years ago. Perhaps the fluidity is not there, but Gian Piero Gasperini has rebuilt Atalanta through dynamic forwards with different objectives.  

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

There was no comfortable game for Atalanta nor AS Roma on their return from the Europa League semi-finals. Level on points, both teams' positions in fifth and sixth mean that Champions League football is not a certainty for both.

The pathway appears a lot clearer in Bergamo. Beat Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin and they are crowned Europa League winners, an incredible performance after knocking out Sporting CP, Liverpool and Marseille in the process. It has brought reflection on Gian Piero Gasperini’s time at Atalanta; a team that may be less fun for the neutral than when he arrived, but a squad that has constantly adapted and brought a lot of firepower.

The schedule has been hectic towards Roma, but even they surprised themselves when they went two goals up in Germany, only for Leverkusen to do Leverkusen things. It has badly damaged their hopes of a Champions League spot, but a win in Bergamo would have put them in the driving . . .