Juventus vs Atalanta: 3 key La Dea players to watch out for

BERN, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Juan Musso of Atalanta BC (C) reacts after the UEFA Champions League group F match between BSC Young Boys and Atalanta at Stadion Wankdorf on November 23, 2021 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
BERN, SWITZERLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Juan Musso of Atalanta BC (C) reacts after the UEFA Champions League group F match between BSC Young Boys and Atalanta at Stadion Wankdorf on November 23, 2021 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
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Duván Zapata

Juventus, Atalanta
Duvan Zapata, Atalanta (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

In the summer transfer window, there were rumours of Duván Zapata parting ways with La Dea following the departure of Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan. He was reportedly thought to be an out-and-out replacement for the Belgian, who had joined Chelsea for an enormous amount of money.

But with Inter bringing in Edin Dzeko from AS Roma, Zapata stayed put at the club. And what a brilliant decision that has turned out to be for the 30-year-old Colombian. From only 11 matches this season, the centre-forward has scored eight goals and plundered three assists in Serie A. With as many goals as Cagliari’s João Pedro, Zapata currently occupies the fourth spot in the leaderboard of Serie A top scorers.

A target man for Gasperini, Zapata is known for his brute strength and pacy legs. His hold-up play is regarded as the best you could get from a sharp-shooter. If his current form in front of the goal is taken under consideration, Zapata has scored in six out of La Dea’s last seven matches in Serie A. He has scored one in each of his last four league appearances.

The South American will be looking forward to playing a defence that just leaked four goals in midweek. Keeping Zapata’s present form in mind, the Juve defence will have to be much more watchful on Saturday evening.