Atalanta is about to conclude an exceptional 2024, which confirms the value of a consolidated project. Is there a risk in Cagliari that the Nerazzurri could “suffer from dizziness”, going from the Champions League against Real Madrid and first place in the championship?
“Obviously the risk of a similar situation is always there, it is real. Especially at the home of a team that has historically always achieved its best results at home, like Cagliari. Atalanta, however, wants to demonstrate that the defeat against Real Madrid is only an incident, albeit a pleasant one. Pleasant because the game was seen, the opportunities were seen… and only by a matter of centimeters (see Retegui’s error in the 95th minute) Atalanta was unable to gain a point against the most famous team in the world“.
Does Gasperini have any certain absences to deal with for the match on Sardinian soil? The probable Atalanta formation.
“There was a chance to recover Square: The percentages initially seemed low. And in any case, the Colombian is not in a position to start. For the rest, more or less, the 11th is that: Meatballs between the posts; Kossounou, He e Kolasinac in defense; Bellanova, Ederson, de Roon e Ruggeri in midfield; Samardzic could find ownership behind Retegui and one between Lookman e the Ketelaere“.
What is your opinion on Davide Nicola’s Cagliari, which has been slowly but steadily progressing in recent times?
“I have always had a great impression of Nicolahis CV speaks for him and the victories achieved are worth the same as Scudetti. But I always thought he could give something more in the current season, as a substitute. This progressively increasing performance partly disproves my ideas, so I am pleasantly surprised to see it so influential from the first day“.
What kind of match are you expecting today?
“Having said that the Cagliari seen in Florence did not deserve to loseand he only did it for a goal that fueled several doubts due to an offside that seemed clear to me, I expect a combative team from the first minute. In the presence of the Serie A leaders, therefore, maximum respect but also maximum concentration. Let’s say it clearly: the Cagliari match is a golden opportunity for Atalanta, because if they win they temporarily move to +5 on the second. Not a small thing…“.
Hypothesize a possible protagonist for each part.
“At Cagliari there are certainly two protagonists: the Bergamo native Small and the ex luckalways competitively fired up when he meets the Goddess. In Atalanta, he could give a great hand Samardzic. But that trio in front scares everyone…“
