Atalanta BC’s head coach Ivan Juric shared insights into his tactical decisions as the team prepares to face Slavia Prague in the Champions League. The match is set to kick off at 20:00 UK time (19:00 GMT) in Bergamo, and Juric expressed hope that his players could improve their clinical finishing in the final third.
Atalanta, who remain one of only two unbeaten teams in Europe’s top five leagues alongside Bayern Munich, have struggled to convert draws into wins. Their most recent outing resulted in a draw against Lazio, where Ademola Lookman made his first start since his absence over the summer, positioned behind centre-forward Nikola Krstovic.
In a tactical shift, Juric has opted for Lorenzo Bernasconi, a rising talent from the Under-23 squad, over experienced player Nicola Zalewski, who has started on the bench again. Juric praised Bernasconi’s performances, stating, “He is doing very well and earned this opportunity to play.”
Juric replaces previous long-term coach Gian Piero Gasperini and is working to bring his own style to the club, despite not achieving the same immediate success. His efforts have garnered support from the fans, who have welcomed him warmly. “I received love and affection from the fans straight away, so I can only hope that I prove myself worthy enough to earn that in the long-term,” Juric commented.
As the Champions League is known for its unique challenges compared to Serie A, Juric’s focus on improving performance in crucial moments could potentially see Atalanta thriving in this competitive arena. Fans have reasons to be optimistic as the team navigates this critical match-up, hoping their tactical enhancements translate into a more decisive offense.