Beyond The Score

 They haven’t won in six games, Champions League qualification seems a distant hope, yet Gian Piero Gasperini will still remain one of the most popular men in Northern Italy. Locals will tell you of the wonders he has done for their side. It looks likely that it is the end of a cycle for them though. Therefore, what better time to look back at their recent successes that branded them as one of the most attractive sides in Europe.

Where do you start? In terms of sheer excitement, few teams rival Gasperini’s side (even despite a current dip in form). A distinct blueprint of football matches reflects the unorthodox style in which the club was founded. Formally known as “Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio”, the Italian outfit was created by local students in 1907 and despite its recent success plays at a stadium of just 21,247 seats. To put that into context sides such as Aberdeen, Nottingham Forest and Norwich all boast larger grounds.

Their tactics on the field aren’t more common either. As a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4–2-1, the game aims to create wide overloads. A bit strange for a team that plays with no traditional fullbacks you may point out? Obviously, it isn’t a Liverpool style of width that the Italians play. Instead, one centre midfielder, the designated number 10 and one of the striking pair will all join the wing backs out wide to create a distinctive overload. The result? Often they have up to five players occupying the wings, and no matter what defence you are, that can be a headache. As a result their counterattacks can be deadly. Having the lowest possession rate of any of the top six sides in Italy currently it is clear that they place greater emphasis on efficiency rather than possession.

In football and sport in general it is often the case that working against the grain of normality brings success. Look at the Premier League right now as a perfect example. It’s fair to say that the English tier is one of the most possession-based leagues in the world right now. Pep Guardiola may have a role to play in this evolution. In the same way, Chelsea, Brighton, Newcastle and Man City will stick to their possession-based laurels regardless of the outcome. Yet, two of the most overachieving sides in the league are Brentford and Fulham. Both touted by many for relegation at the start of the campaign, they sit sixth and ninth, making European football a real possibility. What do they have both in common? They are set up to be extremely difficult to beat and play to their strengths. At 46% and 43% these two sides have the lowest possession rates in the top half, but have scored over 13 goals more than the likes of Chelsea. The previous two seasons West Ham finished in European spots. Yet there was not much silk in their play and pragmatism was paramount. Last year’s Champions League semi finalist Villareal were another example of an overachieving successful side who were happy to do the dirty defensive work. They were also efficient at the other end of the pitch. Even in France, Marseille who have recently resurged back to the top of French football, at times were boasting a 3-2-5 formation. The point is that going against the grain can often bring real success.

Likewise, for a period of time Atalanta’s footballing identity was causing upsets left, right and centre. 2016/17 saw them reach the top four for the first time since 1921/22. Dropping down to seventh the next season many expected them to slowly slip away and return back to being the relegation fighting club they were of old. Yet between 2018/19 and 2020/21 they managed to finish in third place every season and on two occasions got to knockout football in the Champions League (one being a quarter final). In many ways it was a football miracle that a side of this stature could compete at the top of the game. They had to play their Champions League matches (in front of fans) at the San Siro for goodness sake! The appointment of Gasperini was proving to be a masterstroke. What made it better was that this wasn’t a Newcastle situation where some foreign owner decided to swoop in and dump their cash claiming to be a boyhood fan of whoever’s trumpet they were trying to play. This was a beautiful operation done with pure tactical know-how and passion that would never run low. In many ways it has parallels with what is currently happening at Union Berlin, although that is a topic for another day.

When you look at that season, it’s no surprise to see the tremendous numbers that the forwards put in. It also leads to explain why this season and last haven’t reached their heights. (The fact that a sixth place finish may seem underwhelming is a testament to the excellent work being done at Atalanta.) In the glory seasons that we mentioned each season was marked by a top goal scorer of over 20 goals (averaging out at twenty five). Yet last season that dropped to 14 and in this campaign Lookman is the only man to have scored more than seven league goals (even though he has twelve). For all the tactical knowhow and astutness that Gasperini brings, in football you need goalscorers to be fighting at the top. Worryingly for Atalanta fans, Lookman is overperforming his XG by 55%, so his goalscoring form is unlikely to endure. The fact they sit in a European spot is suprising and there will be no doubt they will be looking over their shoulders.

Yet, even in seasons like this when they aren’t firing on all cylinders, they are still an exciting team to watch. An eight-two victory over Salernitana and a three-each draw against Juventus provide proof. The franticness and uniqueness are still there. No matter the score, Atlanta will always be a team that you can turn on your TV and expect excitement. The question now is: are they at the end of a cycle?

You see it often with unqiue sides like themselves. Leeds under Bielsa were the perfect example. Even teams that aren’t as high intensity as this outfit struggle to overachieve over a sustained timeframe. Yet, to be coming to an end of a cycle and still be in contention for continental football emphasises how well Gasperini has done and how far Atalanta have come.

All images : Wikimedia Commons