Atalanta in Dire Straits: Home Defeat 0-3 to Sassuolo
Over the last seven matchdays, Atalanta have earned just five points with only four goals scored. By contrast, last year at the same stage (the eleventh round), they held 22 points and had scored 29 goals. Names like Palladino and Thiago Motta have been mentioned amid concerns.
Atalanta left the pitch with their heads down after a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Sassuolo on a dark Sunday that puts coach Ivan Juric’s job in jeopardy.
The brief optimism following Marseille’s surprising victory, which seemed to resolve Nerazzurri’s crisis, vanished in the poor early match performance at the New Balance Arena against Sassuolo.
Since September 20, the team has collected only five points in seven matches, with five straight draws and two consecutive defeats—one in Udine and the latest against Sassuolo—scoring just four goals overall.
These harsh numbers highlight a deep crisis, worsened by the harsh comparison to last year when Atalanta had:
- 22 points after 11 matchdays
- Seven wins and only one draw
- A remarkable 29 goals scored
Currently, the team has only 13 points and goals combined.
In the first half against Sassuolo, Atalanta controlled possession with 62% of the ball but created few chances. An early surge led to a low shot from Lookman, beaten the keeper but stopped by an important save from Idzes near the line. Afterward, Atalanta mostly played in midfield, struggling in tight spaces and failing to register any shots on target.
“Marseille's illusory and incredible victory seemed having healed the Nerazzurri crisis, exploded in a resounding way in the terrible performance in the early match at the New Balance Arena against the Emilians.”
Author’s summary: Atalanta’s alarming slump, marked by poor results and a lack of goals, jeopardizes coach Juric’s position amid gloomy comparisons to last season’s strong start.