Atalanta’s defense is rarely discussed, as the club has long been the gold standard of attacking football in Italy. Under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, La Dea has developed a strong offensive identity, scoring the most goals in Serie A for three consecutive seasons. However, with a competitive top four this season, the club’s defensive weaknesses may cost it a chance to win its first ever league title.
On the surface, Atalanta’s defensive record appears to be decent. Gasperini’s side has allowed 20 goals in 17 games, good for seventh in Italy. However, upon closer inspection, certain issues become apparent.
First, when playing the more talented teams of the Serie A and the Champions League, the club has allowed 19 goals in 10 matches (2.1 goals per match). Against similar clubs, Milan has allowed just 12 in 9 matches (1.3 per match), Inter 12 in 8 (1.5 per match), and Napoli 11 in 7 (1.6 per match). Atalanta’s defense clearly has some issues when compared to their Scudetto competition.
Additionally, Atalanta’s defense is one of three in the Serie A to have fewer goals allowed than xGoals allowed. This shows that it is scoring less than expected, and, relative to the rest of the league, it indicates a high degree of luck. Whether Juan Musso has been in top form or opposing teams have been unlucky, this statistic indicates that the locations of shots against are highly dangerous, a serious defensive flaw.
One telling result is Atalanta’s recent narrow win over Napoli. Despite missing five starters including Victor Osimhen, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz, the Azzurri attack was incredibly threatening in the match. Napoli nearly upset the Bergamo club, but Atalanta’s offense saved it in dramatic fashion.
Gasperini’s Defensive Tactics
Gasperini’s well-known 3-4-3 is unique, as its wing-backs Joakim Maehle and Davide Zappacosta minimally contribute to the defense. Maehle, for example, attempts just 0.66 tackles and 4.15 pressures in the defensive third per 90 minutes, far behind typical numbers for outside-backs. The outside-backs often isolate the center-backs in a loose trio, leaving large gaps of space in the channels.
More space opens up in the midfield in front of the backline. Marten De Roon, a talented defensive midfielder, supports Atalanta’s press and pushes up the field on offense. These actions often take him too far from the defense, leaving additional space between the lines.
Because the spatial issues often occur when Atalanta are pressing, counter attacks can be fatal. When opposing teams break out of the high block or when Atalanta turn the ball over, there is ample opportunity for a fast break. The three center-backs are competent defenders, but, without support, they lack the athleticism needed to stop faster forwards. Given that there are just three defenders, counters will often result in a numerical disadvantage for Atalanta. Against Milan, for example, a 5-on-3 break led to the third Rossoneri goal.
Elif Elmas perfectly exploits these tactics above. When three Atalanta players pressure the midfielder, he makes a quick turn into space. The press has created nearly 20 yards between the midfield and the defense, and the 22-year-old starts a sudden breakaway, progressing the ball into the 18-yard box before defenders can challenge him.
The relative lack of speed on the backline leaves the defense susceptible to diagonal balls. Against Lazio, Ciro Immobile created two scoring opportunities with runs through the defense. Not considered a particularly fast forward, he split Merih Demiral and Matteo Lovato, who are ten and eight years his junior, to spark the opening goal.
Atalanta also frequently commit individual errors. Conceding possession on the backline is the biggest mistake defenders can make, and it happens too often in Bergamo. For example, Sandro Tonali dispossessed Remo Freuler at the San Siro, his goal costing La Dea a point.
Another poor turnover occurred against Villarreal. Here, Rafael Toloi takes an atrocious touch, giving the ball directly to Arnaut Danjuma. As a result, Villarreal score, eventually winning the match by one goal. The backline, spread far too wide, had no chance to stop the breakaway. These errors are critical and compound difficulties stemming from an already-weak defensive scheme.
The Atalanta defense is best when defending wide play or slow-building attacks. As its goals allowed number suggests, the backline struggles against teams with quick and creative players.
How Atalanta Can Fix Their Defense
The first and most obvious remedy for this situation is the winter transfer window. Atalanta have never been shy to make expensive acquisitions, and the Serie A is ripe with center-back talent.
One player who could be a fit for Atalanta is Johan Vasquez at Genoa. The 23-year-old is seeing his role with the Mexican national team grow and meets the requirements for La Dea. He is a physical defender and an adept tackler, completing 60.6% of his challenges this season. Also, Vasquez comes from a three-defender formation and could easily learn Gasperini’s system. The Mexican currently is on-loan at Genoa with an obligation to buy, but a fee in the region of €10 million could easily surmount this problem.
The club could also deploy Remo Freuler or Teun Koopmeiners in more reserved roles, allowing them to prevent counter attacks and to solidify the space above the center-backs. Both players are decent defensively, but, like de Roon, Atalanta’s press and overloading attack often take them too high up the pitch.
Without proper changes to their defensive strategy, the Scudetto may be unattainable for Atalanta. The club’s elite offense can only take it so far, so all eyes will be on the winter transfer window. With no clear title favorite, La Dea has a prime opportunity to win it all and must take advantage by upgrading its defense.
And the race for the Serie A title is ON ?
1) AC Milan – 38
2) Inter – 37
3) Napoli – 36
4) Atalanta – 34 pic.twitter.com/5HcAagPqmG— International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) December 4, 2021