Atalanta vs. AS Roma: Winners and Losers from Serie A Game
Rudi Garcia's Roma were given a scare early on against Atalanta when they went behind to a strike from Maxi Moralez after just 57 seconds.
The Giallorossi didn't panic, however, and thanks to some sterling football from Miralem Pjanic, Radja Nainggolan and (in particular) Adem Ljajic, the visitors dragged themselves back into the game before eventually taking a 2-1 lead at the end of the first half.
Winner: Adem Ljajic
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He rose to prominence as a prodigiously gifted teenager at Partizan Belgrade before impressing at Fiorentina and earning a move to Roma. But for some reason some people still doubt Adem Ljajic's ability.
The 23-year-old Serbian isn't a regular starter for the Giallorossi, but performances like this one against Atalanta prove just how important he can be for Rudi Garcia.
Ljajic has four goals and an assist in 583 minutes on the pitch this season—despite playing the full 90 just twice. For someone who plays wide, behind a main forward, that's a very respectable return.
His angled strike in a crowded box to bring Roma level showed the kind of technique and calmness that would be the envy of most strikers. He also showed great vision with his simple pass back to Radja Nainggolan for the Lupi's second goal. To see the goals, check out the Corriere della Sera's highlights here.
He might not feature against CSKA Moscow midweek, but (after a game like this) Ljajic now has to be at the forefront of Garcia's thoughts and should get more game time soon.
Loser: Morgan De Sanctis
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This game wasn't Morgan De Sanctis' finest hour in a Roma shirt. The 37-year-old 'keeper should have done a lot better for Maximiliano Moralez's opener—even if his defence was also to blame for allowing the Argentine forward so much space in a dangerous area.
De Sanctis never looked comfortable in Bergamo and played with a frantic nervousness that will worry Romanisti everywhere.
Loser: Daniele Baselli
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Daniele Baselli saw his shot cruelly kept out by the post early in the first half after De Sanctis failed to adequately deal with a previous threat. Had it gone in for the talented young Italian, this game could have ended very differently.
Winner: Juan Iturbe
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Juan Iturbe didn't get on the scoresheet against Atalanta, but the Argentine winger's performance was second only to that of Ljajic on the night. In the hour he played, he always looked dangerous.
Subbed off after 60 minutes to give Alessandro Florenzi game time, Iturbe was almost certainly being saved for the midweek Champions League clash in Russia, where he will be extremely influential in this kind of form.
Loser: German Denis
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This was another night to forget for German Denis. The powerful Argentine striker bagged 13 goals last season—almost a third of his team's total—and was always at the centre of everything positive for Atalanta.
By contrast, he's only found the back of the net once so far this term and looks a shadow of his former self.
Loser: Stefano Colantuono
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Beating one of the Scudetto favourites was never going to be easy, but Stefano Colantuono would have been desperately hoping for some kind of result.
La Dea have won just once so far this season, and they have only scored five goals. The 52-year-old Roman has been on the bench in Bergamo since 2010 and has enjoyed relative success in that time.
The former defender brought La Regina delle provinciali—Atalanta are known as the queen of the provinces—back to Serie A on his first attempt, winning the second division title in 2010-11. In the past two years, he has established them as a solid mid-table force.
However, with his side now very much mired in the relegation zone, it wouldn't be surprising to see him relieved of his duties if things don't change soon.
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