Miranchuk played the best game of the season against the Italian champion! And he returned Atalanta to the race for the Champions League
Nikita Paglazov March 30, 2024, 16:38 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
The Russian has a goal and an assist.
Napoli and Atalanta are approaching the decisive period of the season behind the Top 4. It is likely that fifth place in Serie A will give them a ticket to the 2024/2025 Champions League, but it is better to get into the top four and not worry about the situation. For Napoli, still the current Italian champion, the match against Atalanta was one of the last opportunities to cling to the Champions League zone.
The composition of the teams was not very surprising. Alexey Miranchuk, as expected, started for Atalanta, and Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed the match due to an injury in the match with the Georgian national team. The battle between the former Lokomotiv footballers did not work. But even without this, the Russian was on fire from the first minutes. In one of the first attacks, Alexey carried the ball and shot into the Napoli goal. It turned out great, but unfortunately Miranchuk hit the post. Atalanta as a whole took advantage from the first minutes and Napoli did not seem to expect such audacity.
Miranchuk was one of the main figures on the field: he not only threatened the rival goal, but also helped the Bergamasco defenders. In Napoli, Victor Osimhen acted more dangerously, but it was not possible to create something really serious. The hosts often got lost in positional attacks: after all, the team is not yet fully adapted to coach Francesco Calzona’s football.
But Atalanta took advantage of its moment! In the 26th minute, the ball ended up in the Napoli area and it literally ran around them. And after Mario Pasalic’s header rebounded, it ended up in Miranchuk, who in a somewhat absurd way sent it into the Neapolitan goal. The main thing is that Atalanta took the lead. And Alexey scored the third goal of this Serie A season.
“Atalanta”
Photo: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
After conceding the goal, Napoli began to be more active in attack. But again I didn’t get the best moments. And Miranchuk continued to threaten Meret’s goal. First he crossed Pasalic well and then he arrived in time to finish: the ball went over the goal. And yet, Alexey’s excellent part ended with another effective action. Already in the 45th minute, Atalanta made a combination: Scamacca took the ball, played with Miranchuk and then shot directly into the Napoli goal. 2-0 in favor of Atalanta, the Russian scored two goals. The most productive match for Alexey this season!
Atalanta will have two great games in the Europa League quarterfinals:
“I’m tired of balls. The same teams! City is furious about the Champions League draw
Calzona shook up the team well during the break. Napoli played stronger and started to create good chances. But they were shut down by the Atalanta defense and goalkeeper Marco Carnesechi. Although midway through the second half the pace dropped a bit. The Bergamascos skillfully contained the threats. Miranchuk, together with his strike partners, periodically launched counterattacks. And at the end of the match, the guests finished off poor Napoli: in a quick attack they scored the third goal: Matteo Ruggeri rolled down the left flank towards Teun Koepmeiners and the Dutchman hit Meret’s goal. Failure.
Naples – Atalanta
Photo: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
Atalanta won a great victory. With the same number of games, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team is now just one point behind fifth-placed Roma and four behind Bologna (fourth). The Bergamascos returned to the race for the Champions League zone and Miranchuk became a key factor in the victory in Naples. The difference between Napoli and Atalanta is five points, while Calzona’s team has played one more game. It is unlikely that we will see Khvicha and company in the next Champions League. Unless the Georgian moves to another club.
Kvaratskhelia had another reason to rejoice this week:
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