Atalanta have plenty of reasons to be worried.
La Dea are currently 17th in Serie A after 13 rounds, just outside of the relegation zone by just one point after drawing their last three away matches 0–0.
Before the summer transfer window closed, Atalanta sold their star midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura to AC Milan but as talented as he is, his departure is not the only issue for Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono. Most of his players have been out of form but Colantuono has also used a more defensive approach this season.
Bonaventura had been a key player for Atalanta when they won the 2010-11 Serie B title, scoring nine goals and grabbing five assists in 31 Serie B matches. His value increased in Serie A as he scored 14 goals and grabbed nine assists in 96 league matches in over three seasons for La Dea.
Bonaventura’s skills and creativity made him a transfer target for the likes Juventus, Fiorentina and Inter but AC Milan managed to sign him on the final day of this summer’s transfer window.
“Jack” has scored two goals and created another one in 11 league games for the Rossoneri despite not starting every week as well as playing in variety of roles. One of the goals was an outrageous cross-shot that sailed over Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno in AC Milan’s 1–1 draw with the Isolani.
Bonaventura has also played for the Italian national team and managed to set-up the winner in Italy’s 1–0 win against Albania from a corner. Although he blasted a shot over the bar in that match, his dribbling and passing on the left wing were some of the positives from the Azzurri’s friendly win.
Despite losing Bonaventura to the Rossoneri, Atalanta have other issues — not just related to filling the void left by their star winger — to deal with.
La Dea lost goalkeeper Andrea Consigli to Sassuolo and they nearly sold playmaker Luca Cigarini to the same club. Emerging midfielder Daniele Baselli has been linked with a move away from Bergamo as well.
Injuries have sidelined wingers Marcelo Estigarribia and Cristian Raimondi as well as new signing Alejandro Gomez who had also been unfit for some time.
Another issue for Atalanta has been the performance of certain players. Key players such as Cigarini, Maxi Moralez and German Denis have struggled to make an impact and new signings such as Gomez, Marco D’Alessandro and Rolando Bianchi have not adapted to their new surroundings.
It is probably because of this lack of form, on top of Cigarini’s three-match suspension, that Colantuono has opted for this seasons more conservative approach. Atalanta have moved away from his preferred 4-4-1-1 formation at times and occasionally used the 3-5-2 system.
His defensive tactics have brought only two league wins for Atalanta, and despite possessing the fifth-best defence in Serie A (13 goals conceded), Colantuono possesses the worst attack in the league with only five goals scored.
Atalanta did manage to defeat Serie B side Avellino 2–0 in the Coppa Italia thanks to a Richmond Boakye brace as he managed to combine well with Bianchi; but this form needs to be transferred to Serie A as well.
La Dea will host fellow strugglers Cesena on Sunday afternoon, and if Colantuono’s side are going to emerge victorious, they need their stars and their new signings to start performing better… or rather, to start performing altogether.
As good as Giacomo “Jack” Bonaventura was, he was just one ace in the Atalanta suit.
Follow Vito Doria on Twitter: @VitoCDoria
