Bergamo has been a very happy place since Gian Piero Gasperini took over at Atalanta, and 2019/20 will see La Dea play in the Champions League for the very first time, meaning that a memorable campaign is in store one way or another.
The Bergamaschi surprised everyone with their third-place finish last season, even ending the year as Serie A’s top scoring side.
There’s rarely a dull moment watching Atalanta, who have become the second team of many Italian football fans, and 2019/20 is shaping up to be another intriguing season.
Summer Dealings – 5/10
Luis Muriel’s arrival will be important whether Duvan Zapata stays or goes. Atalanta need depth and the Colombian offers that.
Martin Skrtel signing will also add experience at the back, particularly in Europe. Gianluca Maldini’s exit was always going to be felt, and his threat from attacking set-pieces will need to be covered. Skrtel is by no means perfect though and a backline consisting of him, Jose Luis Palomino and Andrea Masiello may not always be the most level-headed.
Another addition in midfield wouldn’t go amiss before the window closes though.
But their best business this summer was undoubtedly keeping together the majority of the squad. President Antonio Percassi has admitted that the club turned down offers for players that previously would have been impossible for them to reject, so he’ll be hoping the faith he’s shown in his current squad is rewarded.
Key Man – Papu Gomez
It’s no secret that Papu Gomez is the man who makes Atalanta tick, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The No.10 is one of Serie A’s most creative players, accumulating more assists than anyone else in 2018/19 and now that Muriel has joined the attacking ranks in Bergamo, he might just do the very same this year.
Though he’s complemented nicely by Ilicic and Zapata in attack, his tendency to combine with whoever plays at left wing-back is one of the keys to his success. It was Leonardo Spinazzola first, but now it’s Timothy Castagne and Robin Gosens who constantly overlap and help Papu to find space.
Not often credited for his defensive efforts, La Dea’s captain isn’t shy of battling back, regularly appearing in his own box having chased an opposing full-back the length of the pitch to regain possession and start another attack from deep.
One to watch – Matteo Pessina
It’s never easy to pick a player who could have a breakout season, be it an already established professional or an emerging youngster, but if nobody else arrives in midfield then Matteo Pessina could see regular playing time this year.
The 22-year-old was involved last term and clearly earned the trust of his coach in his 19 appearances – 12 of which were in Serie A.
He’s not as much of a hard-hitter as Marten de Roon or Remo Freuler, but he is technically sound and likes to keep things relatively simple, which works well in this system due to the number of moving parts around him.
Pessina made headlines in pre-season by inadvertently becoming a Pornhub ambassador but he’ll be hoping to pop up a little more often on the pitch this term.
The Coach – Gian Piero Gasperini
Since Gasp took charge, Atalanta have finished in the top four twice, also securing European football in the other year only to fall in the qualification rounds on penalties, and also reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals and final.
In each of his seasons though, they have taken their time to get going before finding their feet and surging up the table.
Committed to his 3-4-2-1 (or often 3-4-1-2), it doesn’t take much insight to know how they’ll be setting themselves up this year.
The 61-year-old likes his side to play on the front foot and encourages anyone and everyone to get involved in the attacks. The wing-backs are constantly pushing forward, as is at least one of the central defenders.
Prediction – 7th
It’s not going to be easy for the Nerazzurri this year, but that hasn’t stopped them from reaching two top-four finished in the last three seasons. The Champions League will weigh on them, so a lot will depend on how long they remain in Europe. Don’t be surprised to see another slow start but for them to be as competitive as ever come April.
Source: forzaitalianfootball.com