This weekend two of the most impressive sides from the opening weekend of Serie A go head-to-head in Matchday 2. It will be the seven-time Italian champions Torino against Europa League holders Atalanta.
Torino travelled to the San Siro to take on Milan last weekend, and perhaps too much focus was placed on the home side, and their new arrivals on and off the field, before things kicked off. Torino weren’t in town to make up the numbers, and they nearly took all three points as they were 2-0 up in the 89th minute of the game.
Sadly for Torino, Milan struck two late goals through Noah Okafor and Alvaro Morata to rescue a draw, and as criminal as it is to concede twice so late, for the most part Torino looked impressive. Il Toro finished ninth last campaign and beat the likes of Milan, Napoli and Atalanta at home.
If Torino were good, Atalanta were great. La Dea travelled to Lecce on Monday evening following their decent display against Real Madrid in the European Super Cup. Gasperini’s men were questioned heading into the start of this campaign but their football so far has provided the answers.
Amidst transfer drama, key stars like Ademola Lookman and Teun Koopmeiners both missed the season opener, and other crucial players like Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca have been absent with injury.
Despite those worries, Atalanta romped to a 4-0 victory where two new signings both scored a brace. Argentine born Italy international Mateo Retegui; the man who was signed from Genoa scored two. As did the arrival from Frosinone Marco Bresciani; a player who was much wanted by Antonio Conte at Napoli. Instead he has started his Atalanta career with a bang.
Torino can take some confidence from the fact that Atalanta did allow their hosts Lecce a rather large total of 21 shots last week though, with a total xG of 1.58. Such figures would suggest a more clinical side could have made Atalanta’s opening away trip a bit more difficult.
Torino will want to open their home campaign with a victory and steady the ship after they were rocked by a late Milan comeback. Atalanta will want to keep rocking themselves though, after their solid performance on a night of European glamour was followed by such a clinical season opener at Lecce. Gasperini’s men have a Champions League campaign to look forward to, perhaps one or two new arrivals, and why can’t they be competitive at the top of Serie A this year too?
Joseph O’Sullivan | GIFN
