As Atalanta prepare to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, the potential departure of Teun Koopmeiners to Juventus could shake up the Italian team’s plans.
Atalanta are going through a difficult period a week before the clash against Real Madrid for the European Super Cup. Teun Koopmeiners, one of the pillars of the Bergamo midfield, could be out. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini has said that Koopmeiners has already made his decision: he wants to join Juventus.
The potential departure is a blow to Atalanta, not only because it weakens the squad just before a crucial match, but also because the way the situation is being handled leaves a bitter taste. Koopmeiners, at odds with his management, has reportedly stopped training with the team and is currently in a state of stress, according to Gasperini.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Gian Piero Gasperini: “It was all going to plan until last week… then Teun Koopmeiners informed us that he wants to join Juventus”.
“He doesn’t want to train or play with us anymore”, told Eco di Bergamo. pic.twitter.com/6TFXuH94gZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 8, 2024
A strained relationship before the European Super Cup
This tense situation between Koopmeiners and Atalanta could well change the situation for the Lombard club in its preparation against Real Madrid. The Dutch player, who was one of the keys to Gasperini’s game, should no longer wear the black and blue jersey.
Gasperini, in his recent statements, has expressed his dismay at what he considers a form of “blackmail” on the part of the player. The club therefore finds itself in a difficult position, having to deal without one of its major assets just days before a decisive match.
For Real Madrid, this situation could be seen as an opportunity to exploit. The probable absence of Koopmeiners weakens an Atalanta team already less experienced than the Merengues on the European scene. Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be keen to take advantage of this fragility to impose themselves from the start of the season and make an impression. A Bergamo midfield without Koopmeiners could struggle to contain the Madrid attacks, thus offering a significant tactical advantage to Real.
