Napoli – Atalanta Bergamo: Neapolitans Still Fresh As Atalanta Go Stale (2-0)

Where once Atalanta Bergamo used to dominate, Napoli returned to winning ways as their opponents failed to capitalize on a potential early route. Gasperini tried to increase the pressure, but this led to Spalletti’s team gaining important ground to unleash Kvaradona up the field.
Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Between two anti-Italian teams, only one seems destined to deliver on its promise. Napoli and Atalanta possess uncommon calcio traits, but Napoli appears ready to put up the bunting.

That being said, last Friday night had cast a least a level of doubt. Lazio had a defensive game plan for all thirds and kept the formidable Napoli attack quiet, for at least a game. Spalletti’s team are still ahead of the rest, but getting back to winning ways is pivotal to momentum for both the league and Europe.

After starting the year in excellent goalscoring form, Atalanta has gone on an unusual drought. Just one goal was scored in their last seven matches, going into this game, Gian Piero Gasperini has struggled to get his youthful attack back to scoring matters.

Spalletti made just a single change, within his 4-3-3 system, which suffered that 1-0 defeat to Lazio. Hirving Lozano was replaced by Matteo Politano on the right of the front line, Mário Rui is still suspended, so Mathías Olivera remained at left-back.

Merih Demiral was replaced by Giorgio Scalvini, whilst the injured Teun Koopmeiners was out and Éderson came in. The two changes upfront saw Mario Pašalić and . . .