Juventus will look to exploit wide areas against Atalanta tonight, but will have to be wary of the Orobici press.
Words: Elio Salerno
This promises to be a hotly contested Coppa Italia tie and if recent meetings are anything to go by, we can expect to see goals.
Juventus will look to exploit wide areas against Atalanta tonight, but will have to be wary of the Orobici press.
Words: Elio Salerno
This promises to be a hotly contested Coppa Italia tie and if recent meetings are anything to go by, we can expect to see goals.
Juventus have scored at least two goals in their last eight against La Dea, while the home side have scored in all of their last 13 Coppa Italia matches. These sides met three times in 2017 and shared 13 goals between them, the last two occasions have been in Bergamo with both games ending in 2-2 draws. The most recent meeting came just a three months ago, Juventus raced into a two goal lead before an Atalanta, inspired by Coach Gian Piero Gasperini, recovered to take a point from the game.
Both come into this one in good form. Atalanta have won five of their last eight while Juventus are on an eight match winning streak, conceding just one in the process. The Bianconeri are unbeaten in 22 matches against their hosts and will be looking to shut them out tonight while seeking to claim a priceless away goal.
Juventus will attempt to win this game using the wide areas as they look to expose potential weaknesses in Atalanta’s defensive set up. The home side are renowned for their high press, they often adopt a man to man policy out of possession and look to force the opposition play into central areas where they can aggressively push to force mistakes.
While potentially rewarding, this type of pressing is risky. If Juventus are able to dodge the traps and play around Atalanta, isolating wide areas in the process, it will be the most effective way to nullify Gasperini’s men. Juve, deploying a 4-3-3 with Federico Bernardeschi and Mario Mandžukić will look to test the opposition in these areas, the individual ability of Bernardeschi can be devastating in one vs one situations both in creating and scoring goals. Another feature of his game when cutting in from right is his crossing; this is where Juve will look to benefit from the physical presence of Mandžukić at the far post. We have seen the Croatian attacker bully defenders in the box on numerous occasions, as he attacks crosses flown in from the right. Looking to create width and two vs one situations in wide areas, Stephan Lichtsteiner and Alex Sandro will be vital in helping Max Allegri expose Atalanta.
As previously mentioned the Atalanta press is rewarding when in full flow, creating a number of turnovers and transitions allowing them to break quickly on the opposition.
This is where they will attempt to make full use of the one vs one situations they create, using the excellent dribbling skills of Papu Gomez and Josip Iličić they will certainly test the Juventus back line, with both capable of producing match winning moments. Atalanta are also as expansive in possession as they are out it and favour attacking from wide areas.
Wing-backs Robin Gosens and Hans Hateboer will bomb down the flanks, while midfield engine Bryan Cristante breaks to get himself in the danger area. Cristante is likely to have the responsibility of preventing Juventus maestro Miralem Pjanic dictating the game and will look to smother the Bosnian in his attempts to gain possession. Anchoring Gasperini’s 3-4-1-2 will be Remo Freuler and Marten De Roon, prominent in pressing they will also provide protection and help Atalanta retain possession effectively. The midfield battle will be pivotal in taking control of the game, it will be physical encounter with Remo Freuler and Marten de Roon going up against Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi.
With lots of tactical variation in this game it promises to be a fascinating match up. If Juventus can deal with Atalanta’s intensity then their individual quality in attacking areas should see them go close to collecting the win. Atalanta have proven previously they are capable of hurting the Bianconeri, the Orobici will look to use the occasion and fiery atmosphere at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia to inspire a victory, taking a priceless lead to Turin for the second leg.