Over the last eight years, Atalanta has always been a game that’s been circled as a difficult one. Perhaps it’s karma over Andrea Agnelli’s dismissive comments about the club in 2020, or the simple effect of Gian Piero Gasperini’s fantastic coaching over much of that time. Probably a little bit of both, as well as excellent youth development and recruitment by La Dea’s front office.
Indeed, going into Sunday’s game Atalanta hadn’t lost on the Allianz Stadium pitch in eight years. Let that sink in:
Juventus had gone eight straight home games without beating their bogey side on home turf.
Fortunately, the Bianconeri ended that string on Sunday night. Goals in each half, one off a nice team move finished by Francisco Conceição and one off a corner kick by Bremer, ensured a relatively workmanlike 2-0 victory — ironically the same scoreline that Juve had managed the last time they beat Atalanta here in Turin.
It was a continuation of the momentum Juve had generated midweek in their Europa League opener, and sorely needed as teams headed into the first, extended international break of the season.
How did everyone do on the field in this one? Let’s take a closer look.
GUGLIELMO VICARIO – 7. Only needed to make two saves, but the hardest was a good one low to his left that was properly pushed wide of Charles De Ketelaere to deny him a rebound.
PIERRE KALULU – 5.5. Among a group that has been playing quite well this week, Kalulu still wasn’t quite up to the standards he’s set the last two years. He only completed 86.5 percent of his passes and his offensive contribution wasn’t fantastic either, although that’s to be expected given her new role.
BREMER – 7. Led the team with five clearances and made a beautiful run that completely bamboozled Giorgio Scalvini as he scored goal. He now leads the team with two in the league.
JHON LUCUMÍ – 7. Had a whopping five interceptions on the day, along with a pair of clearances and a blocked shot. Completed a team-leading 94.3 percent of his passes as well. His connection with Bremer is really strong already.
NICO GONZÁLEZ – 6.5. Led the team with three tackles and had a pair of key passes as well. Took well to the new role on the right-hand side.
WESTON McKENNIE – 6. Had a header put on a plate for him but put it right at Marco Carnesecchi. Racked up a key pass and did well wherever he was asked to play — which was a couple spots.
DOUGLAS LUIZ – 6.5. Another excellent day for the prodigal Brazilian. Led the team with two dribbles and had four total defensive contributions.
ZEKI ÇELIK – 7.5. Such a fantastic game from the understated signing of the summer. His assist to Conceição was absolutely marvelous — he sensed the space that opened up for him to run onto it before it was even there. His other key pass, the cross to McKennie, was on a dot as well.
FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO – 6.5. Took his goal fantastically, although there were a few other moments that could’ve made this an even better game.
KERIM ALAJBEGOVIC – 6. Had a couple of early shots but wasn’t in the most perfect of form. Withdrawn for a tactical tweak to the midfield.
RANDAL KOLO MUANI – 7. Saved the game with that fantastic goal line clearance, and was lively at the front end as well. Carnesecchi denied him a late goal, and he had four dribbles overall. Looked so much more confident and threatening from the front. An encouraging sign.
SUBS
PAPE MATAR SARR – 6.5. Ripped a wonderful shot that Carnsecchi was able to save, and added in two tackles in the middle of the park. Has a whole lot of energy that’s badly needed there.
EDON ZHEGROVA – 7. Perfect delivery for the second goal, and three key passes overall in just 20 minutes.
TEUN KOOPMEINERS – 6. Had a late header from a good position blocked, otherwise played well in midfield for the end.
NICK WOLTEMADE – NR. Made a nice play with Kolo Muani late on that would’ve merited an assist if it wasn’t for Carnesecchi.
LLOYD KELLY – NR. On to close things out late.
MANAGER ANALYSIS
The three-man back line stayed on after a successful use Thursday, and the success was very much the same. The personnel were slightly different — González out on the right wing-back spot was the most apparent change — and the quality of the opposition was certainly several steps up from what NEC Nijmegen showed a few days ago. But the team came out with the same attitude, which is far more important.
Momentum is a fickle thing in football, and it’s a bit of a shame now that the international break has come in just as the team seems to be picking some of it up. But it could also be a blessing in disguise: if Luciano Spalletti uses the next three weeks to really drill these new ideas down, Juventus could come out of the break looking a lot more imposing — and that’s before the injury crisis starts to lessen up a bit.
All in all, things are going into this international break a little brighter then they were a week ago after the Sassuolo debacle.
LOOKING AHEAD
The international break goes until Oct. 11, when Juventus will travel to Cagliari and then to Spain to play Celta Vigo in Europa League action. That will be followed by a return home to face a surprisingly game Lazio side run by Gennarro Gattuso.
