In one of the biggest fixtures of Serie A round 31, Atalanta hosted Juventus in Bergamo. After a mostly cagey affair, Ruslan Malinovskyi’s deflected effort late in the match was the difference between the two sides, as La Dea shred more doubts over Andrea Pirlo’s future with the crumbling champions. So here are our player ratings for the top clash between Atalanta and Juventus.
Atalanta XI
Pierluigi Gollini – 6
The former Aston Villa man was barely troubled throughout the match, and his most memorable moment was saving Morata’s volley at his near post.
Rafael Toloi – 6.5
The Italo-Brazilian had a mostly solid afternoon against Juve’s strikers, and perhaps his only misstep was allowing Morata to sneak behind his back to try his luck on the volley.
José Luis Palomino – 7
The Argentine has been mostly a substitute throughout the campaign, but today he managed to shine when given the chance. A rock at the back, and won countless areal duels against Morata and company.
Berat Djimsiti – 6.5
The Albanian was yet another solid performer at the back for Atalanta, as he managed to frustrate the Juventus forwards. Nonetheless, he conceded a yellow card late in the second half for a late challenge on Cuadrado.
Joakim Maehle – 5.5
The young Dane was perhaps the Orobici’s weakest link. His howler in the first half almost caused his side to concede a goal, as he cheaply gave the ball away to Chiesa inside his own penalty box.
Marten De Roon – 6
A hard working performance from the former Middlesbrough midfielder, as he ran tirelessly behind the ball, and supported the backline whenever needed.
Remo Freuler – 6
Just like his midfield partner, the Swiss was willing to do the dirty job off the ball, but his performance lacked a significant moment, and his distribution wasn’t always at point.
Robin Gosens – 6
The German international had a tough battle against the likes of McKennie and Cuadrado, and was able to pull off some decisive interceptions at times.
Matteo Pessina – 5.5
The former Milan man made his return following a quarantine period, and seemed to be short on fitness before being replaced at the break. Wasted the first real opportunity of the match as his low drive went off target.
Luis Muriel – 5.5
The former Sampdoria and Sevilla striker had to play in wide role on the left side, and was rarely able to pose a threat from that position. His best moment of the match was a second half curler that went just wide.
Duvan Zapata – 6
Just like his compatriot, the Atalanta striker didn’t enjoy his best performance, but was always willing to put on a battle against every Juventus player in his way, while trying to create some space for his teammates. Wasted a golden chance when Ilicic provided him with a great cross, but his header went wide.
Atalanta Substitutes
Mario Pasalic – 5.5
Replaced Pessina at half time, but the Croatian didn’t prove to be a major improvement on his teammate.
Josip Ilicic – 7
The Slovenian star truly changed the match after coming off the bench. Provided a sublime cross for Zapata, and then produced the assist for Malinovskyi’s goal.
Ruslan Malinovskyi – 7
Another match changing substitution. The Ukrainian almost scored with a thunderous long-range freekick, before finding the net with a deflected shot a minute later.
In the four games of the current league without Cristiano #Ronaldo, Juventus have collected three draws (all 1-1) and one defeat (today). Missing. #AtalantaJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 18, 2021
Juventus XI
Wojciech Szczesny – 6
It was a quiet afternoon for the birthday boy, but just when he pulled off a brilliant save on Malinovskiy’s freekick, ended up conceding with a deflection shortly after.
Juan Cuadrado – 6.5
The Colombian was arguably his side’s most dangerous and dynamic player throughout the match. Caused trouble for his opponents with his runs and dribbles, but eventually lacked the final touch.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7
The former Ajax captain put on a great shift against Zapata and company, limiting La Dea’s danger for most of the encounter. Didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Giorgio Chiellini – 6.5
The captain had decent performance as well, marshalling the backline with ease, and definitely didn’t expect his side to concede late in the match.
Alex Sandro – 5.5
The Brazilian was surprisingly absent on the attacking phase, and was unlucky to see the ball deflecting off his back for the lone goal of the match.
Weston McKennie – 6.5
A generous performance from the former Schalke man who ran all over the pitch and won back the ball on several occasions with some brilliant tackles, and also helped in launching counter attacks.
Rodrigo Bentancur – 5.5
A cautious display from the Uruguayan who was rarely involved in the final third. Helped Juventus in the midfield battle during the first half, but the Atalanta players were more determined after the break.
Adrien Rabiot – 6
The Frenchman made himself available for his teammates upfront, and tried to make some runs to the opponents’ box himself, but lacked some sharpness in his touch.
Federico Chiesa – 6
The former Fiorentina winger created his side’s most dangerous opportunity, when his determination helped him in winning the ball back from Maehle, but Morata couldn’t finish it off. Left the pitch early in the second half, presumably with a slight knock.
Paulo Dybala – 6
The Argentine star is still working on regaining his full fitness, and was able to last for 67 minutes. Had some flashes of talent and led his side’s attacks at times, but still far from his best.
Alvaro Morata – 5.5
The Spaniard wasted a great opportunity in the first half, as his shot lacked power and precision, before testing Gollini with a volley in the second half, but was generally unable to find space within the hosts’ backline.
Juventus Substitutes
Danilo – 6
Acted as a sweeper at times, and was mostly solid.
Dejan Kulusevski – 5.5
Created Juve’s best chance of the second half with a cross towards Morata, but wasn’t able to do much else.
Arthur – N/A
FT: Atalanta 1-0 Juventus
Juve are 12 points behind Inter Milan, who have a game in hand ? pic.twitter.com/oN3FDhMlpM
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 18, 2021