The Champions League is back. For the 4th day of the league phase, Olympique de Marseille (18th with a victory and two defeats) hosts Atalanta Bergamo (17th with a victory, a draw and a setback). A very important meeting for Roberto De Zerbi’s men, who have been struggling in recent weeks. Fallers of AJ Auxerre at the end of a sluggish collective performance, the Olympians have, in fact, found their way to victory after a draw and two defeats in all competitions. Marseille supporters can rest assured, the current dynamic of the Dea is even less brilliant.
Defeated by Udinese during the 10th day of Serie A last Saturday, the residents of the Gewiss Stadium remain on a terrible series of six matches in a row without victories in all competitions. Without rhythm, without ideas and above all without efficiency – an observation that the various observers had already been able to make on the evening of the scathing defeat against PSG (0-4) – the Bergamo club was once again dominated by an aggressive and rigorous Friulian team. Ironically, it was Nicolò Zaniolo, former Atalanta player, who gave his team victory in the 40th minute with a beautiful strike.
A collective in distress, Juric on borrowed time
With this new setback, Atalanta Bergamo is now in a disappointing 11th place in Serie A and its coach, Ivan Juric, finds himself more challenged than ever. According to the latest information from La Gazzetta dello Sportthe leaders of the Dea, worried about the situation of their club, have even already placed their coach under observation for the next two matches, including the one against OM. It must be said that the game produced by the Italian team is cause for alarm. Against Udinese, the Bergamasques only took their chance five times (no shots on target). A sharp performance largely with the oiled and hard-hitting collective observed in recent seasons.
A collapse which does not fail to make the headlines of the Italian press. On the front line? Ivan Juric. Criticized for his tactical choices, the Croatian technician – who had for example decided to install Lookman, Krstovic and De Ketelaere on the bench against Udinese – finds himself under fire from criticism, especially at a time when his team has only won once in its last nine outings in all competitions. Other cases, like Scamacca, Samardzic or even Sulemana, do not fail to cause tension. It now remains to be seen whether Atalanta will find the necessary resources to relaunch in the south of France… The opportunity for OM to strike an opponent in full doubt is in any case very present.
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