Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel inspired Atalanta to Saturday’s clear-cut 3-1 win away to relegation-threatened Venezia. Though La Dea are not having a great Serie A season by any stretch of the imagination, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men produced a rare moment of brilliance at the Stadio Pierluigi Penzo.
Mario Pasalic broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time to give Atalanta a well-deserved lead. Only two minutes into the second half, Muriel stormed down the left side before setting up Zapata for the easiest of tap-ins.
After helping his Colombian compatriot put clear daylight between the sides, Muriel found the net himself to put the icing on the cake on a truly inspiring individual showing. Venezia replied through Domen Crnigoj in the 80th minute, yet it proved nothing more than a consolation goal.
Before Saturday’s demolition of rock-bottom Venezia, Atalanta had lost three consecutive Serie A games by 2+ goals ‘to one,’ throwing their hopes of another European qualification into doubt. After whittling down the gap on sixth-placed Lazio to only two points, La Dea have sparked their top-six chances into life.
However, a series of underwhelming results have cast doubt on Gasperini’s future in Bergamo. The experienced Italian tactician has shaped up arguably the most successful era in Atalanta’s recent history, establishing them as a permanent top-six fixture in Serie A over the past six years.
Even though his side could miss out on European qualification for the first time since 2015/16, Gasperini enjoys the utmost respect from the Gewiss Stadium hierarchy. Atalanta chief Umberto Marino insists the club’s powerbrokers have never considered the sacking of their long-serving manager.
“I always say, Gasperini’s position is not up for debate,” he told DAZN, as relayed by Calciomercato. “We will go forward with the characteristics that the coach has given to this squad. We’re with him for life.“