Entering the second leg with a slim lead, Real Madrid stuttered against Atalanta’s 5-2-2-1 pressing setup. But the muscle memory of their stars on a big European night proved too much to handle. With a structural change that tilted the match, Zinedine Zidane made sure the big names delivered, sending the home team into the […]
Atalanta’s press proved a tough obstacle for Inter to deal with in their similar shapes. And although Inter’s striking duo always posed a threat when given room, this was largely a game where their attacking efforts were stifled at source. It took a scrappy goal for Inter to find the back of the net and […]
Throughout the 2020/21 season, Real Madrid’s performances have followed the same tactical storyline: they struggle against deep blocks while thriving against opponents who press them high. This trend would continue against Atalanta, with a 17th minute red card forcing the Italian side to defend deep. Real Madrid struggled to break this defense down until a […]
Lazio opening proceedings with a stunning goal allowed them to sit back more in their 5-3-2 block to fend off Atalanta. Uncharacteristically, the hosts were fairly stale going forward with their wide buildup slowed by Lazio congesting those areas. Atalanta could not find a way back even after switching from their conventional back three system […]
In the chaotic landscape that was the top of the Serie A table, this proved to be an enthralling and significant battle. AC Milan faced troubles in moving the ball forward despite some early promise. This led to few quality Milan chances as Atalanta, led by Iličić who offered constant creativity and threat, produced a […]
Atalanta’s clash with Sassuolo pitted Serie A’s artisan outfits against one another. But in what promised to be a competitive matchup, a mixture of rough marking and clever dismarking saw the home team dismantle the pretenders to their throne with a ruthless showing. Tactical analysis and match report by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere. Atalanta still seek to […]
Two strong and organized sides faced off in an equal affair that served as a peek into the window of what is the most balanced Serie A season in years. Juve’s lead was later equalized by Atalanta’s strong approach to the second half, as both teams battled their way out in the latter part for […]
With a ticket for post-winter Champions League football on the line, Atalanta set up smartly in a 5-3-2 / 5-2-1-2 shape that frustrated Ajax for the entire game. The Dutch were unable to crack the code and created next to nothing from open play. A late strike from supersub Luis Muriel meant Atalanta would progress […]
Atalanta and Inter came out in their usual setups and thus matched up in structures with three at the back. And although both sides managed to get into their normal patterns of play, their opponents handled much of their forays forward effectively. The game went by with little goalscoring opportunities. Neither team could separate themselves, […]
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 […]