Disappointing performance. We started off the right foot, pressing high and taking the game to them, and were rewarded with an early goal. Unfortunately, we pretty much ran out of gas around the 40th minute and ended up merely defending the result for the rest of the game. With our midfield unable to support our strikers - who were almost exclusively fed with long balls - we basically continued to turn the ball over, thus inviting Atalanta in our half and increasing the pressure on our defence. I must say that, from a defensive point of view, we generally did quite well in congesting the last third and blocking all lines of pass for Atalanta. But, as anybody knows, going on full defence is a risky game to play and a fateful mistake is always behind the corner. Honestly, I don't think we could have done much better, as Atalanta players were running circles around ours throughout the second half. Maybe Conte should have subbed Sanchez in instead of Politano in hopes the Chilean might have won us the game with a piece of magic (which was unlikely to expect from a player allegedly on the verge of being sold). At the end, this game yet again highlighted our need for more depth and better players in a few key roles.
Handanovic is my MotM, naturally, as he saved us from what would have been a certain defeat, somehow managing to keep the momentum going in view of the second half of the season. De Vrij and Godin were also generally good in containing Atalanta's forwards, as was Bastoni who, however, marred his performance with a rookie mistake that could have killed us for the day. I'm sure he will learn from it.
Candreva was individually responsible for the goal, but as I wrote above, we had been playing too conservatively for too long not to expect that some of our players would make a mistake sooner or later. I still think he was better than Biraghi, who never seemed to attack with intent down his flank, but ultimately they were both mediocre in my eyes and couldn't cope with Atalanta's wide players.
As for the midfield, Brozovic and Gagliardini put on a solid defensive shift, but our incapability of linking up the midfield with the attack resulted in too many turnovers and allowed Atalanta to take control of the midfield. Sensi should have provided that link, but he is clearly too rusty due to the long absence and needs time to get back in form. He did a few good things in the first half, but then disappeared as the game progressed. Valero did what he could, even though he could have done better in a couple of situations at the edge of Atalanta's box.
Lukaku and Lautaro did their best, and for some 40 minutes you could feel a buzz of excitement whenever they got the ball, as it looked like they could harm Atalanta with their quick combinations. However, as soon as the team started to slow down, they found themselves too isolated and outnumbered to really pose a threat to their defence. Politano was a weird sub to make. I get Conte wanted to bring in someone with a bit of pace and skill in order to serve as a link between our lines and to carry the ball forward, but personally I would have gone for Sanchez.
Handanovic is my MotM, naturally, as he saved us from what would have been a certain defeat, somehow managing to keep the momentum going in view of the second half of the season. De Vrij and Godin were also generally good in containing Atalanta's forwards, as was Bastoni who, however, marred his performance with a rookie mistake that could have killed us for the day. I'm sure he will learn from it.
Candreva was individually responsible for the goal, but as I wrote above, we had been playing too conservatively for too long not to expect that some of our players would make a mistake sooner or later. I still think he was better than Biraghi, who never seemed to attack with intent down his flank, but ultimately they were both mediocre in my eyes and couldn't cope with Atalanta's wide players.
As for the midfield, Brozovic and Gagliardini put on a solid defensive shift, but our incapability of linking up the midfield with the attack resulted in too many turnovers and allowed Atalanta to take control of the midfield. Sensi should have provided that link, but he is clearly too rusty due to the long absence and needs time to get back in form. He did a few good things in the first half, but then disappeared as the game progressed. Valero did what he could, even though he could have done better in a couple of situations at the edge of Atalanta's box.
Lukaku and Lautaro did their best, and for some 40 minutes you could feel a buzz of excitement whenever they got the ball, as it looked like they could harm Atalanta with their quick combinations. However, as soon as the team started to slow down, they found themselves too isolated and outnumbered to really pose a threat to their defence. Politano was a weird sub to make. I get Conte wanted to bring in someone with a bit of pace and skill in order to serve as a link between our lines and to carry the ball forward, but personally I would have gone for Sanchez.
