27 November 2021
Duvan Zapata’s first-half strike proved the difference as Atalanta left the Allianz Stadium with maximum points following a 1-0 victory over Juventus on Saturday evening.
Atalanta had their foot on the accelerator from the start, firing in several early shots which the Bianconeri backline did well to block, putting their bodies on the line to deny both Ruslan Malinovsky and Remo Freuler in the opening quarter.
Settling into their stride, Juve were then able to see more of the ball and fashion a number of chances of their own. Impressive work from Paulo Dybala down the right-hand channel saw the Bianconeri captain on the night worm his way through the Atalanta defense before attempting a left-foot curler towards the far post, which Atalanta shot-stopper Juan Musso was able to gather.
Forward Alvaro Morata was next to get into a decent goalscoring position, the Spaniard doing well to keep a hold of the ball in the final third, playing it back in-field before failing to connect cleanly with a Juan Cuadrado cross.
Juve continued their advances, the best chance of the half falling to Federico Chiesa: a long ball played in behind the defense was chased down by the Italian who sped towards goal, only for Rafael Toloi to close him down just as he lined up his shot.
Minutes later, Juventus lost possession in midfield, Berat Djimsiti’s first-time ball putting Duvan Zapata through on goal, the Colombian’s shot ricocheting in off the crossbar to give the visitors the lead.
The Bianconeri continued to search for a way through, Dybala’s free-kick slightly over-hit as a rising Leonardo Bonucci failed to meet it with his head, while the Argentine’s side-footed effort moments later whizzed just wide.
An injury to Federico Chiesa saw him replaced by Federico Bernardeschi at the break, the substitute attempting Juve’s first opportunity of the second stanza, his drive from range lacking the accuracy as it flew past the left-hand upright.
The Bianconeri had a double chance on goal on the hour mark, Weston McKennie’s run forcing Musso to block a shot off his own defender, Juve maintaining possession before Dybala struck a fierce effort over the bar.
With their tails up and the Turin crowd urging them on, Juventus continued to turn the screw as another shot was fired on goal, this time from Adrein Rabiot, his left-footed strike forcing a fingertip save from Musso.
Both Juve’s centre-backs then had chances to find the leveller, Leonardo Bonucci heading a Dybala free-kick wide while Matthijs de Ligt’s ferocious strike from a corner was closed down by the La Dea defense.
Atalanta adopted a physical approach in the final stages, doing their best to thwart each Bianconero attack while earning several cautions in the process. The final foul of the evening was awarded just outside the Juve box in the 95th minute, Dybala watching in agony as his effort clipped the crossbar on its way out.
At the final whistle, it was the visiting side who held on to their 1-0 advantage, the Bianconeri unable to bring themselves back into the game as Atalanta earned all three points at the Allianz.
JUVENTUS 0-1 ATALANTA (HT 0-1)
SCORER: Zapata 28’ (A)
JUVENTUS
Line-up: Szczesny, de Ligt, Cuadrado, Alex Sandro, Bonucci, Mckennie (Kean 64’), Chiesa (Bernardeschi 46’), Rabiot, Locatelli, Morata (Kaio Jorge 85’), Dybala
Unused substitutes: Perin, Pinsoglio, Chiellini, Pellegrini, Rugani, De Winter, Arthur, Bentancur, Kulusevski.
ATALANTA
Line-up: Musso, Toloi, Demiral, Djimsiti, Zappacosta (Palomino 71’), De Roon, Freuler, Maehle, Pessina (Pasalic 59’), Zapata, Malinovskyi (Koopmeiners 87’).
Unused substitutes: Rossi, Sportiello, Muriel, Pezzella, Hateboer, Scalvini, Miranchuk, Ilicic, Piccoli.
