Atalanta Left Frustrated by Genoa in Sunday Goalless Draw

In Round 18, Atalanta were looking to extended their ten-game unbeaten run in all competitions as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men took on the relegation fighters Genoa at the Gewiss Stadium.

It was a game of few chances with both teams failing to find the back of the net throughout the 90 minutes. Although Genoa earned what could be described as a massive point, Atalanta wasted a good opportunity to return to the top four after a long time.

In this game, Gasperini opted for his tried and trusted tactical formation in 3-4-1-2, with Ruslan Malinovskyi taking up Papu Gomez’s place in a “number 10” role to supply the striker duo in Josip Iličic and Duvan Zapata.

In contrast, Davide Ballardini also went for a back three formation but without a recognised central attacking midfielder in what shaped up to be a 3-5-2 tactical set-up. Kevin Strootman, Milan Badelj and Miha Zajc formed the midfield trio, whilst Marko Pjaca and Eldor Shomurodov led the line for Genoa.

? I nostri 11!
? Here's today's Nerazzurri #StartingXI!

Presented by @Plus500#AtalantaGenoa #SerieATIM #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/CAlWaqb1Eh

— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) January 17, 2021

Although the start of the game was not as hectic as someone could have thought it to be, Genoa had a fairly decent chance to open the scoring in the second minute of the match. Marko Pjaca received the ball on the counter, sliced through the middle of Atalanta’s defence and went for goal from mid-range, but his shot ended wide of the near post.

Genoa created another half-decent chance five minutes later when Kevin Strootman found Eldor Shomurodov on the edge of the box, with the Uzbekistan international sending the shot narrowly wide of the right post.

Atalanta, on the other hand, struggled to create anything going forward despite their tactically sophisticated and intricate positional play which enabled their attackers to receive the ball in intelligent positions in the final third. Gasperini’s men were unable to sustain ball possession for prolonged periods in the final zones of the pitch mostly due to risky passes they tried to play.

It took almost 20 minutes for Atalanta to record their first shot on goal, with Duvan Zapata missing a good chance from point-blank range as he struck the ball low towards the middle of the goal. It followed up with Josip Ilicic’s attempt at goal from the edge of the box after the ball unexpectedly rebounded into his path; however, his shot ended up well wide of the right post.

After a relatively quiet period in the game, Genoa created undoubtedly the best chance of the first half five minutes before the break. Miha Zajc tried to break through but the ball fell into the path of Shomurodov who drilled a low shot from the edge of the box, but Pierluigi Gollini made a stunning save with his trailing leg to deny Genoa the opening goal.

Atalanta responded with a half-chance in the dying moments of the first half as Zapata laid the ball off for Rafael Toloi, but his shot was blocked by Domenico Criscito from close range.

?? Gli 11 Grifoni per #AtalantaGenoa

⚽️ #SerieA

? #ForzaGenoa pic.twitter.com/H6soB5907W

— Genoa CFC (@GenoaCFC) January 17, 2021

In the second half, Atalanta came out of the blocks looking more aggressive and showing more intent in the final third of the pitch. As a result, slowly and patiently but Atalanta started to cause Genoa some problems in and around their box.

It took 13 minutes into the second half for Atalanta to have their first shot on goal as Ilicic received the ball in the right channel after a long build-up play, but his low drive was charged down. By that point, it was conspicuously becoming one-way traffic, with Genoa even struggling to get out of their own half in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.

In the 66^th minute, Atalanta’s right wing-back Hans Hateboer had perhaps the best opportunity to open the score as his thunderous strike rattled the right post from the edge of the box.

The last meaningful action of the game came in the 83^rd minute when the Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon placed his volley from the edge of the box just over the bar.

Overall, Genoa were incredibly reserved in the second half, trying to preserve a precious point in the relegation battle. Ballardini’s men had zero attempts at goal in the entire second half and enjoyed only 29% possession. In contrast, despite having ten shots on goal, Atalanta never really looked like scoring and had to settle for a draw.  

 

MATCH REPORT

January 17, 2021 – Serie A 2020-21 Round 18
ATALANTA-GENOA 0-0

REFEREE: Mr. Marinelli from Tivoli
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Gosens (A), Goldaniga, Zappacosta (G)