KOEMAN’S APOLOGIES
Koeman apologises after Italians rout wretched Everton
EVERTON’S band of around 2,000 hardy travelling supporters, who followed their team to Reggio Emilia at no little expense, will be feeling short-changed this morning after this abysmal performance.
Three first-half goals killed this lop-sided opening group stage game and added pressure on Ronald Koeman, whose expensively assembled side continued their poor start to the season.
The Dutchman apologised to fans and blasted his team for a lack of passion. He also took personal responsibility for a shambolic showing.
‘I share the fans’ anger,’ he said. ‘I need to ask myself what I did wrong. What I saw on the pitch was a big difference between Atalanta and Everton in belief, confidence, aggression and passion.
‘You can be poor on the ball, make many mistakes, the pitch was not the best but it was the same problem for them — they showed the passion you need.’
His scathing assessment was shared in the BT Sport studio, with Sportsmail’s Martin Keown calling the sluggish side ‘Dad’s Army’.
‘Koeman has got to take a good look at himself,’ he added. ‘That’s a miserable bunch of players that will return home… alarm bells for Everton.’ Koeman has heard them, adding that he will be asking his players why they showed so little fight. The match was played at the Mapei Stadium in picturesque Reggio Emilia, 120 miles away from Atalanta’s Bergamo base which is being renovated. It was the equivalent of Everton being sent to Coventry, which is what transpired.
After Saturday’s 3-0 home drubbing at the hands of Tottenham, Koeman demanded a response. Over the course of a chastening opening 45 minutes, they rolled out the blue carpet, put the kettle on and brought out the best biscuits.
‘What we showed in the first half was not what I like,’ Koeman said bluntly.
Everton stand-in goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg produced a wonder save to deny defender Andrea Masiello, but from the resulting corner, Masiello was not to be denied from an almost identical position. It was Atalanta’s first goal in European competition since 1990.
Alejandro Gomez has created more chances than any other player in Serie A this season. After providing the corner for the opener, the Argentine made it two on 41 minutes with a stunning, curling shot into the far corner.
Moments later it was three. More shambolic defending allowed Bryan Cristante a clear run on goal and he made no mistake.
Wayne Rooney and Morgan Schneiderlin were withdrawn in a low-key second half as Atalanta eased to victory.
Mitigating factors? This was already Everton’s ninth game of an embryonic season, six changes from the weekend will always have an unsettling effect and no replacement has been found for Romelu Lukaku. That is about it.
‘I don’t see a team on the pitch,’ added Koeman. ‘I see 11 individual players. The team is far away from what we need to show.’
Everton visit Manchester United on Sunday, looking to avoid a hat-trick of Premier League defeats. Should they serve up a performance anywhere near as dire as this, Koeman will have more apologies to make. ATALANTA (3-5-2): Berisha 6; Toloi 7, Palomino 7, Masiello 7 (Caldara 77min); Hateboer 7.5, Cristante 7.5 (Kurtic 82), Freuler 7, De Roon 7, Castagne 7.5; Petagna 7 (Cornelius 79), GOMEZ 8. Subs not used: Gollini, Orsolini, Haas, Bastoni. Scorers: Masiello 27, Gomez 41, Cristante 44. Booked: Masiello. Manager: Gian Piero Gasperini 8. EVERTON (4-2-3-1): Stekelenburg 7; Holgate 5, Jagielka 5, Keane 5, Baines 5; Besic 5, Schneiderlin 4 (Ramirez 66, 5.5); Rooney 5 (Klaassen 66, 5.5), Vlasic 6, Sigurdsson 5; Calvert-Lewin 5.5 (Mirallas 76). Subs not used: Pickford, Williams, Martina, Gueye. Booked: Sigurdsson. Manager: Ronald Koeman 5. Referee: Vladislav Bezborodov (Rus) 7. Attendance: 20,000.