Juventus entered this match with a huge loss because Cristiano Ronaldo could not play due to injury. Therefore, in the starting lineup, coach Pirlo was forced to use the duo Dybala - Morata.
This is a very important match for Juventus in the race for the top 4 because Atalanta is right behind with 1 point less. Against the team that is showing high performance and has the strongest attack in Serie A, Juventus proactively entered the match with slow speed and a tight position in the home field.
The first notable situation of the match was created in the 7th minute. Receiving a long pass from Cuadrado, Dybala ran down to face goalkeeper Gollini. Fortunately for Atalanta, their goalkeeper rushed out in time to clear the danger.
In terms of the game, Atalanta had more possession. But it was not until the 24th minute that the home team created the first dangerous situation. After a midfield coordination, Pessina entered the penalty area with a fairly wide shooting range. Only this midfielder's shot sent the ball wide of Juventus' goal in a flash.
In the second half of the first half, the match was quite exciting with consecutive tit-for-tat attacks by both teams. Juventus created 2 chances but both Chiellini and Morata could not take advantage to open the score. The first half ended without any goals scored.
Entering the second half, the match took place at a higher pace. Atalanta were still the better team in terms of the game. But against Juventus' tight defense, the home team did not create clear opportunities to break the deadlock.
In the tit-for-tat situation, the two teams created many opportunities towards each other's goal, but Morata and Muriel all of Zapata unfortunately missed. Determined to win all 3 points to over Juve, coach Gian Piero Gasperini decided to bring midfielder Malinovskyi onto the field to replace Maehle in the 72nd minute.
His adjustment has been effective because since entering the field, Malinovskyi has repeatedly caused Juve's defense to change with bold moves. In the 86th minute, Malinovsky took a powerful free kick from a 30-meter position that flew into a high angle, forcing goalkeeper Szczesny to show all his talent to save Juventus.
Just 1 minute later, he fired another "throw" with his left foot from outside the penalty area, hitting a Juve player's foot in the wrong direction, causing Szczesny to lose his arm.
In the little time left, Juventus rose up to attack fiercely but it was not enough to make a difference. With the defeat at Gewisss, Pirlo and his team lost the 3rd place in social insurance to Atalanta. The most realistic goal for Juventus in the remaining part is to defend 4th place to qualify for the Champions League next season.
