Atalanta and Hellas Verona kicked off their Serie A campaigns with a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
The match featured very few clear chances for either side outside of a Jankovic shot for the Gialloblu that Sportiello was equal to.
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Atalanta
Marco Sportiello – 6 — Comfortable
Wasn’t called upon much, but handled the shot from Jankovic in the first have easily.
Boukary Drame – 6 — Workmanlike
The former Chievo player came out and did his job, but did pick up a late yellow in the process.
Giuseppe Biava – 6 — Decent
Turned in a performance that the Nerazzurri have come to expect from him, rarely out of position.
Yohan Benalouane – 7 — Excelled
The Frenchman tightly marked the Gialloblu’s Luca Toni for the entire match, refusing to give him space. Definitely won that battle.
Davide Zappacosta – 6 — Debut
The former Avellino player came out and was good going forward and handled what was thrown at him well.
Luca Cigarini – 7 — Impact
He looked like a man who knew what to do, clearly the focal point of the Nerazzurri midfield.
Maxi Moralez – 6 — Drained
Looked good in the first half, but the second was a different story. Subbed off after 74 minutes.
Marcelo Estigarribia – 5 — Quiet
The Left winger looked lost, and when he did get the ball never looked in control of the situation. Subbed off in 82nd minute.
Carlos Carmona – 6 — Tired
Like Moralez he looked up for it in the first 45, but didn’t have the stamina to continue that performance.
Giacomo Bonaventura – 5 — Underwhelming
The talent is there for the 25 year old, but he only used it periodically.
German Denis – 5 — Blanketed
The Verona defense handled him easily and he rarely looked like a threat to score. Substituted off at the 60th minute.
Substitutes
Rolando Bianchi – 6 –Capable
Replaced Denis after an hour and showed a lot of desire, but couldn’t change things in attack.
Richmond Boakye – 5 — Limited
Replaced Moralez after 74 minutes, but wasn’t on the ball enough for a true judgement. Was booked in the 86th minute.
Leonardo Spinazzola -5 — Run out
Came on for Estigarribia in the 82nd minute, but didn’t have the time needed to have an impact.
Hellas Verona
Rafael – 6 — Steady
Was hardly challenged, but kept his defense organized
Rafa Marquez – 7 — Veteran
Despite his first match for the Gialloblu, Marquez was his steady self at the back.
Alessandro Agostini – 6 — Runner
Great shift from the 35 year old, tired a bit towards the end but that was to be expected.
Vangelis Moras – 6 — Strong
Partnered well with Marquez in keeping Denis quiet for the evening.
Ivan Martic – 6 — Solid
Good opener for the Croatian, seemed to get better as the match wore on.
Mounir Obbadi – 5 — Struggled
Provided little to the side, but it was his debut in Serie A. Subbed off after 74 minutes.
Bosko Jankovic – 6 — Average
Not the best of evenings, would of been much better for him, had Sportiello not denied him.
Emil Hallfredsson – 5 — Rough
Wasn’t the best on the ball and his long distance attempts left a lot to be desired. Subbed off after 63 minutes.
Panagiotis Tachtsidis – 5 — Lacking
A lot is asked of him, and he was solid in the middle, but his side needed more from him.
Luca Toni – 5 — Help
Must be hoping that the service from the flanks will improve, otherwise he could be in for more nights like this. Came off in the 84th minute.
Juan Gómez – 5 — Lost
Misplaced too many passes that hurt the Gialloblu attack.
Substitutes
Lazaros Christodoulopoulos – 5 — Absent
Despite being subbed on in the 63rd, could not make an impact in the match.
Artur Ionita -5 –Debut
The Moldovan made his first Serie A appearance, coming on in the 74th, but little else can be said of his night.
Nico López -5 — Run out
Joined the festivities in the 84th, providing fresh legs, but not much else in attack.
