Atalanta 1-0 Juventus: Player ratings as Bianconeri concede late in damaging Bergamo defeat

Juventus' top-four ambitions were dealt a major blow on Sunday afternoon as they conceded late to slip to a 1-0 defeat against Champions League hopefuls Atalanta.

I Bianconeri suffered an early scare when Matteo Pessina burst into the box, but his drilled effort deflected just wide of the near post. Alvaro Morata had his own chance but fluffed his lines in front of goal as Juve began to grow into the match.

Neither side could find the killer touch in the first half, however, and they entered the dressing rooms all square at the break. The second half began as a tetchy encounter, with the two teams lacking the final ball to unlock the opposition.

Luis Muriel came close to finding the top corner of Wojciech Szczesny's goal on the hour mark, but his dipping effort just flew over the bar. Duvan Zapata then headed wide from Josip Ilicic's cross as the hosts put Juve under pressure.

Atalanta eventually found their breakthrough in the 87th minute, when Ruslan Malinovskyi fired home from range to crush I Bianconeri's resolve and throw their Champions League qualification into doubt.

Let's get on with the player ratings.

JUVENTUS PLAYER RATINGS

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Wojciech Szczesny (GK) - 6/10 - Little to do in the first half, as Atalanta often missed the target. Showed some incredible courage to turn away from Zapata when under pressure. Could do nothing to prevent the heavily-deflected strike at the end.

Juan Cuadrado (RB) - 7/10 - Caused some issues with quick footwork, but final ball was lacking. Did pick out Chiesa on the penalty spot, but his shot was blocked. Lost his head towards the end.

Matthijs de Ligt (CB) - 7/10 - Had a couple of pops at goal, but headed over from six yards out. Enjoyed the physical battle with Zapata. Solid, uncompromising and a bit of a monster. Could do little to stop the final blow.

Giorgio Chiellini (CB) - 6/10 - Had a rare crack at goal, which was blocked. Gave Zapata and Muriel little joy, repelling everything that fell into their box. Rolled back the years. Heartbroken at the late goal.

Alex Sandro (LB) - 5/10 - Probably pleased to see Josip Ilicic start on the bench. Lost that yard of pace and forced to turn back all too often. Better defensively, but not good enough.

2. Midfielders

Weston McKennie (RM) - 6/10 - Dug in to counter the threat of Gosens on the wing. Rattled Muriel with his dogged defending and nose for danger. Couldn't make attacking inroads.

Rodrigo Bentancur (CM) - 7/10 - Performed the defensive side of his game expertly. Pressed and tracked Atalanta's runners and remained switched on. Tried to carry the ball but regularly denied by Freuler.

Adrien Rabiot (CM) - 5/10 - Some nice vertical passes to free Morata in the channels. Not really designed to compete against the powerful and relentless Atalanta midfield. Shrunk as the game progressed.

Federico Chiesa (LM) - 6/10 - Somehow managed to look graceful while bulldozing into and beyond defenders. Couldn't fire a shot through the Atalanta defence when in front of goal. Suffered a knock on the hour-mark and was subbed off.

3. Forwards

Paulo Dybala (ST) - 6/10 - Dropped into pockets of space to collect the ball and drive at defences, picking out teammates with nice passes. Tracked all the way back by Freuler. Missed the top corner by a whisker with a dangerous free-kick. Subbed off.

Alvaro Morata (ST) - 6/10 - Worked tirelessly with his back to goal, protecting the ball and bringing others into play. Should have done better when he dallied in front of Gollini. Forced a smart save in the second half.

4. Substitutes

Danilo (CM) - 6/10

Dejan Kulusevski (ST) - 6/10

Arthur (CM) - 6/10