Juventus vs Atalanta - Combined XI | Serie A 2021-22

Defensive Midfielder: Marten de Roon (Atalanta)

De Roon, Atalanta's anchorman

Eyebrows were raised when Atalanta re-signed Marten de Roon following his disappointing spell with Middlesbrough in the Premier League. However, he has become a key player for the team.

The Dutchman has turned things around in his second stint at the club. De Roon has become a mainstay in the Atalanta midfield over the last four years, impressing with his passing range and crunch tackles.

---

Defensive Midfielder: Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)

Locatelli has two goals and two assists in Serie A for Juventus.

Juventus may have gone through the motions. However, Manuel Locatelli has consistently impressed, taking no time to settle to life in Turin since arriving this summer.

He has been the key to orchestrating offensive plays from the deep, thanks to his line-breaking passes and impeccable vision. Locatelli has also scored and assisted two league goals apiece in 13 games this season.

---

Attacking Midfielder: Ruslan Malinovskyi (Atalanta)

Malinovskyi has three goals in four games against Juventus.

As far as underrated midfielders in Serie A go, there's none more so than Ruslan Malinovskyi. The Ukrainian sharpshooter has a penchant for powerful long-range strikes.

He has contributed four league goals already this season, whilst being Atalanta's creator-in-chief with 22 key passes. That's the most in the squad and fifth in the Italian top flight this season.

---

Attacking Midfielder: Mario Pasalic (Atalanta)

An underrated operator in Gasperini's swashbuckling side.

Another player in Atalanta's squad who's having a fine campaign is Mario Pasalic. He has made the most goal contributions in the squad after only Duvan Zapata with nine (four goals, five assists).

Tall, pacy, direct and an exceptional dribbler, the Croatian has grown into a menacing figure under Gasperini. His assist tally is the joint-most in the league right now.