After a standout ‘monstrous performance’ that saw Atalanta obliterate Juventus 4-0, key players Marten de Roon and Davide Zappacosta are far from resting on their laurels. Instead, they’re already primed for their upcoming encounter with Inter – a match promising the potential for a Scudetto shakeup.
With just three points separating Atalanta and Juventus before their match at Allianz Juventus Stadium, Atalanta’s crushing victory has now firmly solidified their third place standing, keeping them well within the title race. The commanding 4-0 win witnessed Mateo Retegui scoring from the penalty spot, followed by a flurry of goals from De Roon, Zappacosta, and Ademola Lookman.
“It was a monstrous performance,” De Roon declared post-match in an interview with DAZN. He expressed his initial frustration at not securing a second goal before halftime, but conceded, “we made up for it after the break.” Reflecting on the team’s prolific creation of scoring opportunities, he added, “I am Man of the Match, but we all could’ve won today.”
The focus is already shifting to next Sunday’s direct contest with leading team Inter. The showdown offers Atalanta the chance to overturn their 4-0 defeat at San Siro earlier this season and potentially disrupt the Scudetto race. De Roon acknowledged the team’s unfortunate track record against Inter but remained optimistic, stating, “this result sends a big signal to everyone. Inter remains the best side in the league, but we want to prove that we can have our say against them too.”
Zappacosta, who notably netted the third goal off a back-heel flick from Sead Kolasinac, echoed De Roon’s sentiments. “We are very happy,” he stated, brushing aside previous concerns of a potential slump following their Champions League elimination and a home draw with Venezia. He highlighted the team’s resilience, saying, “this is a squad that proves it is always there.”
Now, the team’s strategy is one game at a time, never ceasing to dream. Zappacosta pointed out, “it’s not a fluke if we are still up there in March.” The wing-back concluded, “we will try to give our best in every match and see how it goes.”
Atalanta’s dominance in Serie A standings indicates they’re a team that can’t be ignored. With the players’ unwavering determination and the upcoming clash with Inter, it’s clear that Atalanta’s journey in the Scudetto race is far from over.