Atalanta 0-0 Lazio – 3 talking points in stalemate at the New Balance Arena

Atalanta and Lazio eked out a cagey 0-0 draw on Sunday at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, with the Biancocelesti likely to be the happier of the two sides after enduring a difficult second-half barrage from La Dea.

The first half was extremely quiet, with neither side able to fashion any big chances. However, the hosts came alive in the second half and had a plethora of opportunities but were unable to break the deadlock.

The game, however, had its moments and there are three major talking points in the aftermath of the draw.

The major story from before the game was the return of Ademola Lookman to the Atalanta starting eleven, for the first time under new head coach Ivan Juric.

It was also the first time that the Nigerian had been named in La Dea’s lineup since the summer transfer drama that nearly saw him leave the Bergamo side.

Lookman was linked heavily with a move to Inter but stayed with Atalanta when the Nerazzurri refused to meet La Dea’s €50 million asking price.

After trying to force a move and, later, returning to his club with his tail between his legs, Lookman has been slowly reintegrated into the group and today was his first start.

He played 82 minutes but was unable to make the difference for his time on the night, with his side poor, in general, in the final third.

However, it is minutes under his belt and it may not be long before we see the Lookman of old.

The match became more challenging for Lazio when Matteo Cancellieri was taken off with a suspected thigh flexor injury in the first half. The Italian was replaced by Gustav Isaksen but it was a blow for Sarri.

Cancellieri has been one of Lazio’s best players in a recent spell marred by injuries to key players.

In Sunday’s match, Lazio were without Luca Pellegrini, Samuel Gigot, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Nicolo Rovella and Valentin Castellanos.

Lazio are down to barebones at the minute and especially in midfield, where numbers are thin.

However, Toma Basic’s return to the Lazio team has been a silver lining for an otherwise grey cloud. The 28-year-old had been left on the fringes at the Biancocelesti in the summer but was called back into Sarri’s squad following an availability crisis after the Derby della Capitale.

Today, Basic was one of Lazio’s best players and he has clearly impressed Sarri, as he continues to start.

It has been an interesting season so far for both sides.

Atalanta are the only unbeaten team left in Serie A but have drawn five of their opening seven fixtures and therefore sit in eighth place.

Whilst the prospect of being unbeaten is impressive, it does not mean a lot if you struggle to win your games. This is something Atalanta have to work on under Juric if they wish to be competitive at the upper end of the table.

For Lazio, the front line feels sterile. Especially with the absence of Taty Castellanos and the aforementioned Cancellieri. The youngster has been a vital part of Sarri’s squad this season and this fresh blow continues to set the Roman club back.

You can read Football Italia’s Match Report for Atalanta 0-0 Lazio here.