Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Cremonese underlined squad depth and the immediate impact of new signing Giacomo Raspadori; punters could back Atalanta to score over 1.5 goals or consider an Asian -0.5/-1 handicap in upcoming fixtures against mid- to lower-table opponents as the team’s attack looks sharper and more interchangeable.
Atalanta display maturity to grind out a 2-1 victory over Cremonese
Raffaele Palladino hailed a mature performance as Atalanta overcame Cremonese 2-1, a result that eased concerns about the side’s struggles against newly promoted teams. Nikola Krstovic opened the scoring before Davide Zappacosta added a second, and Morten Thorsby’s late strike for Cremonese made for a frantic finish despite Atalanta’s overall control.
Goals and decisive moments
Krstovic’s influential display set the tone, while Zappacosta’s goal gave Atalanta breathing room. The match tightened when Thorsby reduced the deficit late on, forcing a nervy finale, but Atalanta held on to secure three points and preserve momentum from their recent Cup success.
Squad depth and last-minute changes
Palladino praised contributions from players who have seen fewer minutes this season. Lazar Samardzic stepped in at the last second after Charles De Ketelaere withdrew during the warm-up with a knee issue; Gianluca Scamacca was already unavailable. Suspensions to key figures further tested the coach, yet Sead Kolasinac, Mario Pasalic and others answered the call, underlining the squad’s depth.
Raspadori’s arrival adds a new dimension
The January signing of Giacomo Raspadori from Atletico Madrid — with Ademola Lookman moving the other way — has already influenced Atalanta’s attacking options. Palladino described Raspadori as a player the club pursued aggressively, noting his winning mentality and potential to improve sharpness with more minutes. His presence looks set to increase tactical flexibility in the final third.
Context and implications for the campaign
When Palladino took charge, Atalanta sat 13th and were only a point above Cremonese. The trajectory has shifted: the club have reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals and the Champions League play-offs, milestones that signal progress. Still, the coach cautioned that league ambitions remain unfulfilled and the team must keep pushing to climb the Serie A table.
Tactical takeaways and outlook
Atalanta’s ability to absorb personnel losses and still control matches will be key as the season progresses.
The interchangeability in attack and resilience in midfield were evident, while the late concession of a goal highlights a need to maintain concentration through 90 minutes.
If the side continues to rotate effectively and integrate Raspadori, they could be stronger across multiple competitions.
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Raffaele Palladino saw the kind of ‘maturity’ he was looking for in Atalanta’s 2-1 win...
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