Three key elements are needed to regain the lost course: self-confidence, an effective offensive trident and concrete contributions from the second lines. Gian Piero Gasperini has made this clear, starting with the words spoken after the defeat against Fiorentina and which will be reiterated to the team in the resumption of training. The calendar offers an opportunity to relaunch, provided that action is taken on the frailties that have emerged in recent outings.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport points out, the double misstep with Inter and Fiorentina interrupted the positive inertia of an Atalanta that, only a few weeks ago, had shown solidity and podium ambitions. If the defeat against the Nerazzurri was accepted with the awareness of the opponent’s superiority, the one at the Franchi requires a different reflection. Gasperini does not speak of defeat, but recognizes that something is jammed. And putting the pieces of the puzzle back together requires lucidity and team spirit.
Crucial will be the recovery of offensive effectiveness, linked to the performance of the trident formed by Retegui, Lookman and De Ketelaere. The three, protagonists in the pre-Christmas phase with 36 goals out of 61 total team goals, represent the offensive potential the coach relies on most. In Florence they were all substituted, a sign of the search for a jolt that did not come. The choice was precautionary especially for Retegui, who was in doubt until the last moment due to physical problems. The coach made it clear: playing him for 90 minutes would have been too high a risk.
De Ketelaere and Lookman also paid for a below-expectation performance, but Gasperini does not stop believing in their qualities. On the Nigerian, who has just returned from a few training sessions with the group after commitments with the national team, the technical judgment remains positive: “Lookman is the one who gives us liveliness and speed in attack,” said the coach, convinced that a full week at Zingonia can restore his brilliance as early as his next commitment against Lazio.
But Atalanta’s revival also depends on finding fresh forces among the alternatives, a decisive element in the first part of the season. The coach is waiting for concrete signals from players who have so far made little or no impact: Bellanova and Ruggeri are not providing the drive and precision they showed in the start, while Samardzic and Brescianini are struggling to provide useful solutions between the lines. Maldini, on the other hand, is still looking for his first real impact with the Nerazzurri jersey.
Gasperini knows this well: to stay hooked on the Champions race, the starting eleven are not enough. Contributions are needed from the whole group, especially at a time when La Dea seems to have lost brilliance and depth. The lead in the standings remains an asset to defend, but to do so requires an immediate reaction. The coach is confident in the combative DNA of his Atalanta: only twice since 2022 has the team lost three consecutive matches. And now, more than ever, is the time to show they can get back on their feet.
Article Atalanta, turnaround comes through self-esteem, attack and viable alternatives from CalcioAtalanta.
