Grégory Paisley: 'Atalanta? A well-oiled machine'

Atalanta's quality football has impressed observers all over the word, starting with Grégory Paisley, who has been a regular follower of Serie A for beIN Sports France: "I've been commentating Serie A for three or four years now. Atalanta are very strong up front, the danger can come from anywhere and they're a team that's constantly growing in confidence."
They have scored 98 league goals this season, 23 more than Paris Saint-Germain, who played 11 fewer games, as Italy saw their league campaign completed after lockdown. However, Paris are ahead in terms of Champions League goals: 20 goals scored in eight games, four more than Atalanta, who had a difficult group stage: "It was a crazy road to here," continues Gregory Paisley. "They lost their first three games and then drew one... It all came down to the last two games and a group final away to Donetsk."

It's expected to be an open match between two teams that produce very good football, and that love to attack. The key to the match will then undoubtedly be defence, as the former Parisian suggested: "Paris will have to take this match very seriously, because collectively Atalanta are very strong, and all the players who have had time to play this season have scored at least one goal in all competitions combined. It's a team with a high block, and maybe that's where Paris can find the breakthrough. Atalanta and their three centre-backs can leave space behind to be exploited."

Several stats confirm this idea: Paris has produced more clean sheets this season in the league and in Europe (20 to 12) than Atalanta. The Parisians have conceded just 24 goals this season in the league, half as many as their Italian counterparts (48), and the same in the Champions League (4 against 16). Also on the defensive front, in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain have conceded half as many shots on target per game as Atalanta (2.5 versus 5).

While statistical differences at this stage of the competition count for little, Paris Saint-Germain are still favourites according to Grégory Paisley: "Paris built a team to win this competition. They are therefore favourites, but Atalanta will make up for any shortfall with plenty of fight. They are a machine that never stops and boasts many internationals. Paris will have to be on top of the game..."