Atalanta Bergamo – RasenBallsport Leipzig: Atalanta Walk Into Leipzig’s Lures (0-2)

The second act to one of the most entertaining and tactically intriguing matchups in Europe this season saw RB Leipzig visit Bergamo, with the tie finely poised following a score draw in the first leg. Atalanta adopted a more attacking approach in this match, but they ended up playing to Leipzig's strengths in the process.

Tactical analysis and match report by Neel Shelat.

After an even first leg in Leipzig, the stakes were certainly quite high for both Atalanta and Leipzig. The hosts had dropped to eighth spot in the Serie A table after just two wins in their last five league games, so there were no guarantees of them qualifying for Europe next season through the conventional route. Leipzig, meanwhile, were eyeing their first-ever major trophy as they appeared to be the best team in Germany under Domenico Tedesco.

Atalanta made three changes to their lineup from the first leg, all of which were in the front three as Mario Pašalić, Matteo Pessina and Luis Muriel made way for Ruslan Malinovskyi, Jeremie Boga and Duvan Zapata. There was only one difference in the Leipzig side, as Lukas Klostermann was replaced by Mohamed Simakan at right center-back.

Atalanta amp up their press but Leipzig profit
One of the key tactical features of the first leg was Atalanta’s measured defensive approach, particularly with the wingbacks staying quite deep out of possession and looking to ensure that Leipzig were not allowed to generate numerical overloads When one team has more players in a . . .