Bologna – Atalanta Bergamo: Directness And Duels Trumps Flavorless Fluidity (0-2)

As Vincenzo Italiano fails to find a solution to Bologna’s bad form, Raffaele Palladino has brought a positive environment back to Atalanta Bergamo. In both avenues in which Bologna tried to attack, Atalanta responded with more directness whilst dominating the duels in the process.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Just a place and a point separated Bologna and Atalanta. Despite the similar positions, halfway through the Serie A campaign, this masked the difference in form between two clubs with similar objectives.

Advancing in the Europa League, Coppa Italia and beating Internazionale on penalties for the Supercoppa; Vincenzo Italiano’s team failed to win a league game in December. This was followed by Napoli comfortably besting Bologna in Saudi Arabia, whilst no wins on the return to Italy have seen them fall far from the Champions League picture. They are still active in the high press, but Bologna has become a lot more vulnerable in the defence, whilst their flexible deep rotations are yet to see a creative spark.

In Bergamo, Raffaele Palladino appears to have healed wounds left from a difficult start to the season.

Get access to this article and all other quality content of Between the Posts!

Membership Plans

Already a member? Log in