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 […]

Carried by a big Neymar night, PSG managed to give a good response to Atalanta’s notorious 3-4-1-2 system. Despite the Italians taking the lead in the first half, the French side managed to turn the table after Mbappé’s entrance and went for a very dramatic finish. Tactical match report and analysis by Simon Piotr.  Atalanta […]

The uncharacteristic Atalanta were bleak in the final third, as Internazionale bypassed their press and held their organized block to topple their opponent’s phenomenal winning streak. Gian Piero Gasperini made slight adjustments to improve, but Atalanta were denied the 100-goal milestone and a second place finish, due to a superior defensive game plan from the […]