Champions League: Why you should root for Atalanta

Atalanta refuses to sit back on defense.

The defensive strategy is high-pressing, which is the pre-cursor to La Dea’s counter strikes. They play a typical Italian back three, but they keep a high line.

There is unique chemistry built over the years within the back-line of Rafael Tolói, Berat Djimsiti, and José Luis Palomino, who are the usual starters on the back-line.

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The Goddess’s defense is fourth in goals against and third in expected goals against Italy.

More importantly, their passes allowed per defensive action in their half is second-lowest in the league at 7.77, which speaks to their high pressing.

If there any weaknesses to Atalanta’s game, it is in the goal-keeping department. The high-press does lend itself to creating too much open space; however, the defense has only given up an xG on shots on target of 0.29.

Goaltender Pierluigi Gollini is 11th in Serie A in post-shot expected goals minus shots allowed (-1.1) and 17th in save percentage (68.8%).

Combine a high-press with a fluid offense with the most physically fit team in Italy, and you have a team that in a one-game match-up can beat anyone in Europe.

The recent pandemic hit Bergamo the hardest among Italian cities. Per one recent report, the region has accounted for 50% of all deaths in Italy.

This area has something to cheer for in the most difficult of times as people are attempting to recover physically and mentally from the outbreak.

Atalanta, this little club, with its beautifully entertaining style of play, is in position to do the impossible – winning the Champions League.

Not too bad for a team no one has heard of.