Atalanta 1-0 Juventus: 5 Talking Points as Ruslan Malinovsky strike sinks Bianconeri | Serie A 2020-21 

#3 Perhaps a precursor to the Coppa Italia final?

Juventus and Atalanta will trade tackles in the final of the 2020-21 Coppa Italia next month. So this game might have provided an indication of what to expect.

Despite not being as entertaining as anticipated, the game still served up its own fair dose of drama and intrigue.

For all the gains and giant steps Atalanta have made in recent seasons, they are yet to win a major trophy to validate their progress. The Coppa Italia clash with Juventus offers an opportunity to address that, which would be their first major trophy in almost six decades.

The fact that they went toe to toe with Juventus and came out on top should give Gian Pierro Gasperini cause for optimism ahead of the marquee final.

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#2 Ruslan Malinovsky steps off the bench to sink Juventus

Ruslan Malinovsky was named on the substitutes bench for the clash with Juventus and only came on for Joakim Mahle with 18 minutes to go. However, that was enough time for the former Genk man to make an impact in what was an eventful cameo.

First, he received a booking for a rough challenge on Alex Sandro and later registered Atalanta's first shot on target.

Malinovsky is renowned for his set-piece accuracy, particularly from distance, and that was on full display as he forced the Juventus custodian into a save from 25 yards.

His match-winning shot also came from outside the area. Although the delection off Danilo helped massively in wrong-footing the Juventus goalkeeper, Atalanta would not rue the three points they earned.

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#1 Toothless Juventus struggle to get going in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus are currently at crossroads in their ambitious Cristiano Ronaldo project. The Portugal international was signed primarily to win the Champions League, but three years down the line, that has not happened.

His hefty wages are also problematic in light of the current financial crisis. Many have opined that it would be in Juventus' best interest to part ways with the Madeira native in the summer.

However, those who hold this opinion fail to take into cognisance how ordinary Juventus are without their number 7.

The former Real Madrid man offers a different dynamic to their attack and is by far their highest goal-scorer this season, with nobody else close to being able to match his attacking returns.

Against Atalanta, Morata and Dybala were charged with leading the line. but both men looked out of sorts and failed to get going throughout the game.

Juventus did not test Gollini in the Atalanta goal, with just three shots on target registered in the entire game. Those who opine that the Bianconeri are better served without Ronaldo would do well to remember the club's struggles in attack when he is absent.