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Atalanta-Juventus, one of the three rescheduled matches of the 19th round of Serie A, sees the orobici of Gasperini facing the bianconeri of Motta.

Atalanta-Juventus cannot be a trivial match. Not only because in recent times, with the exponential growth of the orobici under the enlightened leadership of Gasperini, it has become a true big match, but also for the potential shift that it could represent. The Juventus, a historic team and considered by many as one of the favorites to win the Scudetto, could definitively abdicate.

Although no one believes in an unlikely comeback for the title of the bianconeri, it is still interesting to rewind the tape to analyze the situation and compare it with the starting point. The Atalanta was convinced that they had matured enough to legitimately aim for the first place and not just dream about it, but the lofty dreams of the night in Dublin crash into an unexpected obstacle.

Several key elements of last season, including the architect Gasperini and the hero of Dublin Lookman, are not so sure about staying in Bergamo. They do not yet see the orobici square as a destination, especially Koopmeiners, who actually plays his cards to move to Turin: with the results that we all know. The loss of the Dutchman dampens the mood of the group: we are not (yet) a big team.

Yet, less than six months later, with the former-AZ player struggling (like almost everyone who leaves the golden prison of Bergamo) along with the entire Juventus team and with an Atalanta that has returned to soar after initial stumbles, the situation has reversed. Koopmeiners was supposed to be the symbol of an Atalanta that didn’t make it, the embodiment of the overpowering strength of a Juventus.

A Juventus that, despite being in a period of transition, remains Juventus. Koopmeiners has truly become the face of the bianconeri season, but in a negative way. He is a reflection of the confusion reigning in Vinovo, from being the most expensive summer signing to the Apple of Discord as captain in the Derby della Mole. Ironically, the crossroads of their season is in Bergamo.

Gasperini and Atalanta want confirmation (also of the mysticism applied to football) of having finally stabilized in the elite of Italian football, while Thiago Motta and Juventus are playing an important part of their project. However, all eyes will be on Koopmeiners, even more than usual. Fate has placed the Dutchman’s future and that of his team in his hands: will he have broad enough shoulders?

Atalanta-Juventus, official lineups

ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Scalvini, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; Lookman, De Ketelaere. Coach: Gasperini.

JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Yildiz, Koopmeiners, McKennie; Nico Gonzalez. Coach: Hugeux