News
Juventus vs Atalanta: Match Preview and Probable Starting XI
On Sunday, at 19:45 (Italian time), Juventus will go to Bergamo to face Atalanta in one of the most important games of the season so far. This is because a win means being 5 points ahead of Atalanta and consolidating in the top 4, wich is the main goal of Juventus this season.
Definitely, the two teams come from very different moments, since while Atalanta is 4 games without a win and has 4 loses in 10 games, Juventus is having a good moment, with 10 games without losing in Serie A and solid performances in the victories against Hellas and Sassuolo in the second half.
After the signing of Vlahovic and Zakaria, Massimiliano Allegri’s team seems to be experiencing a moment of great confidence and especially of improvement in the offensive aspect, which can be seen by the creative aspect of the team in the second half of the game against Sassuolo, where the team created 9 great chances but was stopped by experienced goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo.
Gasperini’s history with Juventus and with Allegri
A Juventus fan, Gasperini started his career and became a Juventus player at the age of 9, in 1967, where he remained until 1977, playing only one year in the team’s professional career. Gasperini still returned to the club in 1994, a year after ending his career, to coach Juventus U14, where he stayed for 2 years, followed by 2 years at U17. In 1998, he became manager of Juventus Primavera, where he remained until 2003, when he left the club.
Read more:
Gasperini as a Juventus Primavera player(1976)
In addition to a curious history with La Vecchia Signora, Gasperini also has a remarkable relationship with the current Juventus coach. This is because, like Allegri, Gasperini was a player and is inspired by Giovane Galeone, a coach who did a historic job at Pescara.
Allegri with Giovane Galeone(at the middle)
Tactical Duel
Whenever we talk about coaches like Allegri and Gasperini, we always expect a very tactically studied game and in Sunday’s game, nothing different is expected…
Juventus
From what has been seen in recent games, Massimiliano Allegri’s offensive tactical proposal is very clear, keep the trio of Morata, Vlahovic and Dybala, and build a balanced midfield to defend well and be creative enough for the players up front.
Another important aspect of the Juventus game will be to observe how the team will defend against the Atalanta wingers. I believe that we can expect Rabiot as a starter in this game precisely to accompany Hateboer’s attacks, and not allow Gasperini’s team to generate numerical superiority over the line of 4 of vecchia signora.
Atalanta
With the absence of Duvan Zapata, more than ever, an attack with a lot of movement and mobility is expected from Atalanta. And if Malinovskyi is in the attacking line, we can also predict a team that will be looking for a game between the lines to receive and try to finish from long distance.
Another important aspect is that Boga as usual, will make a lot of movement and will try to appear in all areas of the offensive field, especially inside the area, so Juventus must play a good game defensively to contain the skilled midfielder from Atalanta.
History and Stats
. In 138 games, Juventus has 73 wins, 48 draws and 17 loses against Atalanta
. In 23 games, Allegri has 11 wins, 6 draws and 6 loses against Gasperini
. In 31 games, Gasperini has only 5 wins against Juventus, 2 against Allegri
. In 6 games, Vlahovic scored 4 goals against Atalanta
Absentees
Juventus
– Chiellini
– Chiesa
– Bernardeschi
Atalanta
– Musso (suspension)
– Zapata
– Miranchuk
– Palomino
Problable XI
Juventus:
Szczesny, Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt, De Sciglio, Zakaria, Locatelli, Rabiot, Morata, Vlahovic, Dybala(4-3-3)
Atalanta:
Sportiello, Rafael Tolói, Demiral, Djimsiti, Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Zappacosta, Malinovskyi, Boga, Muriel (3-4-2-1)
