Atalanta vs Napoli
The Serie A returns after the international with a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash. Atalanta, chasing fourth place, host Napoli who are chasing the title.
La Dea are in the midst of an injury crisis that has derailed their form of late. Just two wins in their last five league matches that have also seen two losses. That has seen them fall eight points behind Juventus with a game in hand.
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Votalo ora su https://t.co/gLhlPYoP9V 👉 https://t.co/VhJ0IANywzWhich is your 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹 for March? ⚽️
Vote for it here 👉 https://t.co/VhJ0IANywz #GoAtalantaGo ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/pyBeacgvlO— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) March 29, 2022
The number of injuries in attack forced them to hand 18-year-old Moustapha Cisse his debut who scored the winner against Bologna. He might see more game time this week as well. Gian Piero Gasperini knows that he cannot afford to drop any more points. Atalanta have been one of the most darling teams of Europe and will look to make it back amongst the elite for next season.
Napoli have been trying hard to win the league for some years now and this might be their best chance. The Partenopei are also dealing with a huge number of absentees but have managed to win three of their last four games.
📌 Preparations for next Serie A game continue
💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre https://t.co/IrTS9aOEzN
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) March 29, 2022
Luciano Spalletti’s defence is the best in the league with just 22 goals conceded so far. Though the fate of the title is out of their hands, Napoli will be keen to not lose any more games. They will go joint-top with a win in Bergamo and pull away from Inter in third place.
However, they will need to be wary of not dropping points as that will essentially render their hopes dead.
Team news
Atalanta will be without Duvan Zapata, Rafael Toloi, Josip Ilicic, and Jeremie Boga. That pretty much leaves only 11-12 senior players to choose from for Gasperini. Cisse could make another cameo off the bench.
PROBABLE LINE-UP: Musso; Palomino, Demiral, Djimsiti; Pezzella, Freuler, de Roon, Hateboer; Koopmeiners, Pasalic; Muriel
Napoli have even more crucial players out. Spalletti will be missing Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andrea Petagna, and Piotr Zielinski due to ailments. However, the most devastating news is Victor Osimhen and Amir Rrahmani are suspended.
#Napoli, infortunio Di Lorenzo: confermata la distorsione: fuori un mese https://t.co/oBuq5Un5RX
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) March 23, 2022
PROBABLE LINE-UP: Ospina; Malcuit, Koulibaly, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, Fabian, Insigne; Mertens
Gamechangers
In the absence of Zapata, it is Mario Pasalic who has stepped up. Nine goals and six assists are the best tall he has managed for Atalanta. Gasperini is deploying him just behind the striker and it is paying rich dividends.
Pasalic has been a key asset ever since his signing and can hurt a Rrahmani-less Napoli. He is adept at moving into attacking spaces alongside making driving runs forward.
Mario Pasalic has the most goal contributions (12) out of any midfielder in the Top 5 European leagues this season ⚫️🔵
SUPER MARIO 👏 pic.twitter.com/rlGSjW1MP3
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) November 30, 2021
Pasalic carries the ball quickly and has an eye for finding strikers somehow. Luis Muriel will have a very able creator behind him who joins attacks all the time. Moreover, Pasalic has refined his shooting and if Atalanta get by the midfield pivot, they will have chances. Pasalic can also have a go from set-pieces and move centrally to free the wingbacks.
It is not a happy time for Italy or its fans, having missed out on a second consecutive FIFA World Cup. One of the key members of the Azzurri of late has been Napoli’s chief all-around threat. Lorenzo Insigne, destined for MLS in the summer, has to be the main man in Osimhen’s absence.
Lorenzo Insigne scored his 115th goal for Napoli equalizing Diego Maradona's goalscoring record for Napoli. 💙 pic.twitter.com/8tdrXTTqzr
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 23, 2022
Seven goals and six assists in Serie A have been a key reason for leading Napoli’s charge. Insigne starts from the left flank and is versatile all across the front line. He loves running with the ball, cutting inside, and taking shots often. Atalanta’s three-man defence will need to close down the spaces effectively.
Moreover, if the right wingback is not tracking him, that will be another worry. Insigne is also deadly from free-kicks and long-range so those are very good scoring options.
Predictions
Atalanta vs Napoli is a clash between two heavyweight teams who are both missing some key players. In the end, it may come down to whichever manager brings out the best in his team. FootTheBall predicts a 1-0 win for Atalanta.