This weekend the best defence in Serie A met the best attack in the league in the face of Inter and Atalanta. Inter made a little step back failing to keep their advantage against Atalanta as the game ended in a 1-1 draw. The Nerazzurri played a well-structured and entertaining football, but Pier Luigi Gasperinis second half changes made it harder for them to keep the clean sheet, hence the lead.
Atalantas defender Palomino looked well-prepared to go against Lukaku, knowing his incredible off and on the ball abilities and was the main responsible for the team conceding only once. As it has happened on multiple occasions this term, despite the tremendous creativity upfront in the likes of Papu Gómez and Josip Iličić, the team had a difficult time converting their chances into goals.
This tactical analysis aims to break-down both teams tactics and look into how Atalantas second half changes helped them get the point in what turned to be an exciting game.
Lineups
Antonio Conte opted for a 3-5-2 formation in possession. On the goal was the best performing goalkeeper in Serie A at the moment, with seven clean sheets and only 16 conceded goals, Samir Handanovič. In front of him was a three-man backline consisted of Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij and Diego Godín. When in defensive transition were joined by the wing-backs in the game Cristiano Biraghi and Antonio Candreva. Roberto Gagliardini, Marcelo Brozović and Stefano Sensi were controlling the central midfield, supporting the front duo of Lautaro Martínez and Romelu Lukaku.
Gian Piero Gasperini made a couple of interesting changes in the starting XI. He left the teams leading goalscorer, Luis Muriel, on the bench and starting with the long-awaited Duván Zapata on the tip of the attack in a 3-4-2-1 formation. He also started Mario Pašalić instead of Remo Freuler in the midfield. On the goal was Pierluigi Golini with a three-man defence of Berat Djimsiti, José Luis Palomino and Rafael Tolói supporting him. The midfield four included Robin Gosens, Mario Pašalić, Marten de Roon and Hans Hateboer. Responsible for the attacking actions were Alejandro Gómez, Josip Iličić and Duván Zapata, who would do their regular rotations upfront in order to use their creativity and create chances.
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