Columbus Crew v Atlanta United: Deila beginning to question visitors' belief

Atlanta United head coach Ronny Deila has questioned the belief of his players as his team prepares to face Columbus Crew at Lower.com Field. 

Deila was named as Atlanta's new boss back in December, but has endured a stuttering start to life with the Five Stripes, with his side sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference. 

It was thought that the team would be challenging at the summit following the marquee arrivals of Emmanuel Latte Lath and Miguel Almiron ahead of the new season. 

But that has failed to transpire, with Deila picking up just four wins from his 18 games in charge across all competitions (D5 L9). 

After back-to-back wins, Atlanta have suffered consecutive defeats, the last of which came in a 4-0 thrashing to New York City FC, their biggest league defeat of the season. 

"I don't see enough belief. I've talked all week, all year about togetherness and the desire to win. I don't see it. This I have to take responsibility for," Deila said.

"You need to play 95 minutes with that discipline. In the first half, we can't do so much more, just put the ball in the net. It's a big task now.

"The question is, are we believing in this?"

Columbus, meanwhile, are flying high after responding to their 5-1 defeat to Inter Miami with a victory over Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps last time out.

Wilfried Nancy's side picked up just one victory throughout the month of May, drawing four of those games, but they still sit inside the top four of the Eastern Conference table. 

The Columbus boss described their defeat to Miami as an "accident", with Javier Mascherano's team led by Lionel Messi, who notched two goals and two assists. 

But Nancy was happy to see improvements from that crushing defeat against Vancouver, and believes it gives his team a solid foundation to build on ahead of taking on Atlanta. 

"Like I said before, we deserve more wins, but we didn't do it," Nancy said after the win.

"We did a good game, like the many games that we did, but we scored two goals, and we defended better, also.

"I'm happy for the players because obviously they were not happy regarding the last game. The spirit and the intensity during practice was really up.

"They showed that [the Inter Miami CF match] was an accident. They deserve that, and I'm really, really happy for them."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Columbus Crew – Diego Rossi

Rossi has been in fine form for the Crew this year, registering six goal involvements (four goals, two assists) in his last eight MLS fixtures. 

The Uruguayan also has a good record against Atlanta, netting two goals and one assist in his six league appearances against them. 

He also ended Columbus' victory over Vancouver with team-high totals for touches in the opposition box (three) and passes in the final third (24). 

Atlanta United – Jamal Thiare

Atlanta are in need of goals, and they will look to Thiare to provide that, having found the back of the net three times in his last five league appearances for the Five Stripes. 

Only Latte Lath (five) has scored more goals than Thaire for Atlanta, but the former Middlesbrough striker has failed to build on his impressive start for the club. 

MATCH PREDICTION: COLUMBUS CREW WIN

Columbus were able to snap their six-game winless run against Vancouver last time out, ensuring they did not lose back-to-back regular-season matches for the first time since May 2023 against FC Cincinnati and Nashville SC. 

And in fixtures between Columbus and Atlanta, home advantage has been key. Indeed, each of the last five MLS fixtures has been won by the team on home soil, with the Five Stripes the last team failing to do so (1-1 back in October 2023). 

And Deila's hopes of a return to form at Lower.com Field could be difficult. Atlanta have failed to win in each of their last five visits to Columbus (D1 L4), last picking up a victory away to the Crew in August 2021. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Columbus Crew – 64.1%

Draw – 19.2%

Atlanta United – 16.7%