Wednesday’s Champions League match will pit host Stuttgart against high-scoring Atalanta BC at the MHPArena in a battle that promises a lot of end-to-end action as both teams strive to maintain their current playoff positions with only one point separating the two teams in the standings.
Match Preview: Stuttgart’s European Journey
Returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2009, Stuttgart has already impressed in a challenge to European giants. They only narrowly lost to Real Madrid but pulled off a memorable win against Juventus as their comeback. Coming into a recent 1-1 draw with Sparta Prague and then a 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich, the setting was there for what would be a hard-fought, dramatic victory in Turin, sealed by El Bilal Toure’s stoppage-time goal.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness led Stuttgart to an incredible second-place Bundesliga finish last season, but this year’s domestic form has been far from consistent. With just one league win in their last five games, Stuttgart now sits in eighth, but they still boast an unbeaten record at home since October 2023-a record they will want to protect on Wednesday.
Atalanta BC: Can Gasperini’s Squad Keep the Streak Alive?
The previous season’s Europa League champions, Atalanta has enjoyed a faultless start to their Champions League campaign. With back-to-back goalless draws against Arsenal and Celtic, along with one convincing 3-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, the Italian team has become solid behind its back, with only five teams yet to leak a Champions League goal. However, their inability in finishing was patent in the match against Celtic, in which they dominated yet never could find a way through.
Atalanta has been in incredible form in Serie A, winning five straight matches, including a 3-0 win over Napoli. Three forwards have been finding the back of the net prolifically in Mateo Retegui, Ademola Lookman, and Charles De Ketelaere. Retegui has become the leader in the Capocannoniere standings. Third in Serie A at the moment, Atalanta hopes to take their high-scoring ways to the European stage but will need to improve on their record of just two wins from the last 11 Champions League matches.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Stuttgart Updates
Sebastian Hoeness is also particularly well-stocked in attack, with Deniz Undav and El Bilal Toure set to start up front once again. There could be support from deeper-lying positions for the front two from Enzo Millot and Jamie Leweling as well. Jeff Chabot, Yannik Keitel, Luca Raimund, and Dan-Axel Zagadou are injured, but Stuttgart’s defense has been improved by the return of Leonidas Stergiou to training.
Stuttgart’s Predicted Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Nubel
Defenders: Vagnoman, Rouault, Chabot, Mittelstadt
Midfielders: Millot, Karazor, Stiller, Leweling
Forwards: Undav, Toure
Atalanta BC Updates
Atalanta will also be without long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini, but midfielder Marco Brescianini recently came back into action. After being rested during the draw with Napoli, star striker Mateo Retegui will start, with support from Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere. The goal-scoring form of Retegui has been exceptional, and he will be in charge of leading the attack of Atalanta.
Atalanta’s Predicted Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Carnesecchi
Defenders: Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Midfielders: Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Forwards: De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Prediction:
A Balanced Showdown at MHPArena A strong home record of Stuttgart will clash with an attacking powerhouse that is Atalanta. Thus, a 1-1 draw will be our prediction, considering the great attacking force by both teams, but it ultimately settles for a share of points. Stuttgart will try to keep their clean sheet at home intact while Atalanta aims to extend the winning streak.
Stuttgart 1-1 Atalanta BC
