Ahead of his sides semi-final second leg against Fiorentina, which saw Atalanta go through to the Coppa Italia final 5-4 on aggregate, Gian Piero Gasperini said the following:
“The characteristics of the team remain the same. In any case, we know what their strengths are. We’ll need to concentrate on our performance.”
The coach was unphased by his opponents recent managerial reshuffle, this was mostly about what his side could do.
Atalanta and Lazio go into the final with a great understanding of one anothers styles and attributes. The two sides are determined to put their own chapter in the Coppa Italias monograph, however, theyll aim to do this through optimising their own qualities, rather than taking account of one anothers.
In this tactical preview, we shall examine the strengths and weaknesses that each side will bring into this exciting Coppa Italia final. We shall conduct a tactical analysis by studying their two previous battles this season in Serie A, as well as contextualising this in relation to their season as a whole. Atalanta’s record against Lazio makes them the favourites, but the Roman side have enough about them to cause an upset.
Potential formations and starting lineups
With confidence, we can say that there shouldn’t be too many inspired changes in shape heading into the final. In each of their contests together this season, both Gasperini and Simone Inzaghi have tried to force their counterpart to compromise their own style. Gasperini has had his side line up in a fluidly attacking 3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1 in both fixtures. Inzaghi, on the other hand, has seen his stooges consistently shape up in a 3-5-2.
Gasperini’s 3-4-1-2/3-4-2-1 has been used 33 times this season in Serie A. We can expect that Atalanta’s forward and midfield lines will be largely consistent. The biggest question will be over who starts on the left wing. Whilst both Robin Gosens and Timothy Castagne sandwiched the Atalanta central midfielders from either side against Genoa last time out, this seems unlikely to continue tonight. Hans Hateboer has been excellent on the right wing this season and looks certain to return there for the final. Castagne’s recent scoring streak, which includes a finish against Lazio last week, may see him get the nod.
Lazio’s three at the back has been a season staple. Inzaghi has entrenched this defensive set-up deep into the I Biancocelesti mindset. They’ve deployed the 3-5-2 18 times this season in the league and they’ve hardly shifted from this defensive shape. In terms of personnel, there could be some variation. Ștefan Radu has had his four-match ban, for pushing a referee against Inter Milan, halved so he should return to action alongside Francesco Acerbi and either Bastos, Wallace or Luiz Felipe.
