With Marco Carnesecchi injured, Atalanta will rely on Rui Patricio, who is expected to take over at least for the Coppa Italia match against Bologna. The Italian goalkeeper, among the Nerazzurri’s best of the season, picked up an adductor strain during the warm-up against Torino and could be in the pits for several weeks.
Atalanta nelle mani dell’esperto Rui Patricio
As L’Eco di Bergamo points out, his absence represents a heavy loss for Gasperini: Carnesecchi provided security between the posts, saving numerous points with decisive interventions. Now the weight of the Nerazzurri goal falls on Rui Patricio, an experienced goalkeeper but with different characteristics. Less explosive than his young colleague, the Portuguese brings leadership and a high-level international background. At 37 (he will turn 37 in 12 days), Rui Patricio has racked up more than 100 appearances with the Portuguese national team, winning the 2016 European Championship and a Nations League. He grew up at Sporting Lisbon and then played in the Premier League with Wolverhampton before joining Roma, where he experienced three seasons of ups and downs. In the first two years he was an undisputed starter under Jose Mourinho, while in the last he was passed over by young Svilar with the arrival of Daniele De Rossi. For him, a few superlative performances and some glaring mistakes, so much so that he earned two contrasting nicknames among Roma fans: “San Patricio” for his decisive saves and “Rui Pasticcio” for some sloppy passes. Nevertheless, his career is studded with memorable interventions, such as the historic save on Griezmann in the Euro 2016 final against France, which was even immortalized in a statue in Leiria, his hometown. Now Rui Patricio will have a chance to showcase himself, starting with the challenge against Bologna in the Coppa Italia. Should Carnesecchi remain out for a long time, the Portuguese could also play some league games, while remaining clear about his role as second goalkeeper. One aspect that could prove useful tomorrow is his ability to save penalties: he has fended off several conclusions from the eleven meters in his career, including two attempts at Euro 2012.
The article Atalanta in the hands of expert Rui Patricio comes from CalcioAtalanta.
