Napoli – Atalanta Bergamo: Gattuso Breaks Down Atalanta Piece After Piece (4-1)

Gennaro Gattuso carefully studied his opponent to organize a game plan that cut Atalanta in two slices, as the defense was thrown into the lion’s den to be devoured. Giampiero Gasperini tried to respond at the break, but soon enough realized the gap was too wide to bridge. Foremost, Napoli’s defense was too solid to break down.
Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi.

As COVID-19’s claws remain anchored to everyone’s daily lives, football also hasn't found a way past the disruptive effects of the ongoing pandemic. Recently, Napoli has been at the center of the news after conflicting statements resounded between different Serie A hierarchies and the region’s sanitary department denied the team’s departure to Turin. After two players had tested positive for the virus, Napoli was sentenced to a forfeit as well as a one-point deduction.

Gennaro Gattuso’s men were thus sitting on five points after three matches when they hosted an in-form Atalanta, who are sitting in first. In three matches, not once did Giampiero Gasperini’s men score less than four goals, a testament to the maturity and confidence built over the last successful years. 

Napoli started in a 4-2-3-1 shape featuring Fabián Ruiz and Tiemoué Bakayoko in midfield. Matteo Politano, Dries Mertens, and Hirving Lozano stood behind Victor Osimhen.

Atalanta went with their usual 3-4-3 formation that, after months, welcomed Josip Iličić back in the starting eleven, while fresh signing Fabio Depaoli made his debut.

Atalanta run into solid Napoli
From a standard 3-4-3 setup, Atalanta rotated into a situational back four during buildup. Rafael . . .

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