Juventus – Atalanta Bergamo: Midfield Space Manipulated In Different Ways (3-3)

In a balanced affair, Juventus and Atalanta Bergamo revealed their strengths and shortcomings. Juve clicked through the work of one attacker, whereas Atalanta manoeuvred through in transitional steps. Nevertheless, perhaps this game could have flowed differently if such spaces in midfield had been shut.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Serie A has always brought the soap opera. Juventus travelled to Naples in second place, they started the next match day in tenth. 

Being battered by the leaders would not be the only humiliation Juve would suffer in the week. A fifteen-point reduction has planted Allegri’s team away from the Champions League race. Juve will appeal, but the damage from the misreporting of finances, as well as previous scandals, have tainted both themselves and the league’s reputation. The nation does have big clubs that run smarter, but can it afford its most successful team fading into the distance?

One of these smarter clubs is Atalanta. Although not in European football this season, Gian Piero Gasperini has adapted with fresh faces and different offensive dynamics in the team. This peaked last weekend when Atalanta scored eight goals against Salernitana, the first time they have done so. In the Coppa Italia, five were also bagged past Spezia in midweek. With Roma and Lazio level on points, the difference between the Champions and Conference league in the standings, margins have not been as tight. 

Massimiliano Allegri made one change to the team that was beaten last weekend. Federico Chiesa was taken out off the right side, with Nicolò Fagioli, who moved into the . . .