Atalanta leaders: Gasperini’s numbers and the comparison with Real Madrid

At Maradona’s final whistle last night a small piece of history had already been written: Napoli’s defeat gives Atalanta an unprecedented record because never in their history had the Dea been at the top of the championship after 15 or more matchdays. A further push towards tomorrow’s match against Real. It seems like a paradox, yet Atalanta who opens the doors of the very hot Gewiss Stadium has substance and reasons to appear much more Real than Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti will raise his eyebrow, but not out of annoyance. Gian Piero Gasperini’s team has been a beautiful reality for months. And they present themselves as leaders of Serie A, two points ahead of Napoli. While Real is 2nd in La Liga (with one game less), 2 points behind Barcelona.

in the championship

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There are a series of statistics to cement the foundations of the emotion and fill it with content. Atalanta presents itself for tomorrow evening’s match with numbers that reverse the historical trend of matches of this kind. The 120 thousand inhabitants of Bergamo plus the echo of the entire province have reason to proudly show their chests. Both in the league and in the Champions League, Gasperini’s Nerazzurri show eloquent numbers. In Italy the Dea averages 2.5 goals per match, kicking almost 16 times in each match. Real Madrid are just below with 2.1 goals and 15.2 attempts. Some would say nuances. To be fair, we remember the genesis of Atalanta and Real Madrid. La Dea won the Europa League last May, a few days later Ancelotti lifted the 15th Champions League in Madrid’s history. If you show up with numbers like that in mid-December, it means you’ve grown. Atalanta crosses almost 15 times per game in the league, Real just over half, 8.1. The bands, the width, yes. But also verticality. In the league Atalanta wins 15.1 aerial duels per game, in La Liga Real Madrid 8.4. Result? La Dea has a scoring percentage of 16%, Madrid 14. Feeling so close to the history of football shouldn’t be scary. But increase the courage to try. Being close to the sun can make you melt, but Gasperini is not Icarus but a Master capable of managing even such a clear surge. The numbers highlight a constant resistance of the Bergamo players who have played one match less than the Spaniards in the championship. Gasperini is a team for cross-country racing, not a one-and-done. The new Champions League has brought more matches and consequently continuity is needed here too.

in champions

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In Europe, where the two teams will face each other tomorrow evening, the starting point is the same. The five-day springboard is identical. And here then the numbers illuminate even more. Atalanta conceded just one goal in 450 minutes plus recoveries. An otherwise irrelevant distraction in the descent towards Bern. The 6-1 makes that flaw smaller. And it highlights, if anything, the ability to look for goals in multiple ways: Gasperini has scored 11 goals in the Champions League, well over two per game. Numbers that Ancelotti would like to caress and instead observes from afar. Because Real is opaque: 9 goals scored and 9 conceded. Few on one side of the coin, too many on the other. And the points are affected. There are six of them and they keep the reigning champions on an in-or-out balance that is difficult to perceive in this competition. Atalanta with 11 looks at tomorrow’s match as a well-deserved evening of great football to give to its people and owners, aware that the possibility of passing does not pass through this match. It’s not bad to live a game like this peacefully…

Nerazzurri quality

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Atalanta has also brought its knowledge to Europe after years of national work. The application of game principles, adaptability to the moment and the opponent and the quality of the team have embraced the maturity now evident to all. The Bergamo players drew at home against Arsenal and Celtic, but they dominated the evenings. Against the Gunners they missed a penalty (Retegui), they showed the ball to the Scots at the final whistle. To taste a little more of Atalanta’s improved quality, we point out this other data provided by Opta. The Goddess built 70 action sequences with more than 10 passes. Real Madrid? One less, 69. Here, the Champions League-shaped team has found a team that plays like a great European. But he also knows how to fight more than the Blancos: 245 duels won against 221, 74 to 33 aerial ones. You get your hands dirty in Bergamo and you do it with pride. We get our hands dirty before going to the other side of the field to show how the work is finished.