Atalanta BC, seeking a fourth straight Serie A win, welcomes local rivals Monza to Bergamo this Wednesday. Off the back of recent high-scoring successes, La Dea eased past Hellas Verona in a six-goal encounter during the weekend while Monza fought back twice in a 2-2 home draw.
Match Preview
Atlanta’s attack has been more prolific, enhanced by key players such as captain Marten de Roon, whose goal against Verona set the early pattern. Others who contributed in this match included Charles De Ketelaere, Mateo Retegui, and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman, with Retegui and Lookman scoring twice each to cement a third straight league win for Atalanta.
Even without considering the recent Champions League stalemate with Celtic, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have managed to put together 13 goals in their last three league games. Of course, Retegui has netted six of those, and that is enough to fire Atalanta to the top of Serie A’s scoring charts with 24 this season – of which 16 came at home. This rich vein of form finds them just six points off league leaders Napoli.
With a tough schedule ahead-once Napoli and Stuttgart will be next opponents in the league-Atalanta therefore hope to keep their momentum into that very tough away match. For now, though, they’ll seek to keep their streak of dominance over Monza, who have yet to win in their four Serie A meetings with La Dea.
Monza actually heads into this game with a mixed form record but fresh from an important 3-0 win over Verona that finally sealed their first Serie A win of the season. On Sunday, they came from behind for a share of points against Venezia, thanks to goals by Giorgos Kyriakopoulos and veteran Milan Djuric, ensuring Monza left with one point despite Warren Bondo’s sending off.
With three wins in their last five matches across all competitions, Alessandro Nesta’s team now find themselves in the position of being unbeaten in three – a fact that ought not to cut much ice as their coming schedule is quite daunting: Atalanta, AC Milan, and Lazio all lie in wait. This will be a stern test for his charges.
Form Guide
Atalanta BC (Serie A): W L D WWW
Atalanta BC (All Competitions): DWWWDW
Monza (Serie A): DLLDWD
Monza (All Competitions): LWLDWD
Team News
Gian Piero Gasperini may shuffle his pack ahead of Sunday’s clash with Napoli, with Lazar Samardzic, Mario Pasalic, and Nicolo Zaniolo candidates to start. However, Mateo Retegui – the striker who has bagged 10 goals in nine Serie A games, may keep his spot given that he is in very hot form. Marco Brescianini remains ruled out alongside long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini, though centre-back Odilon Kossounou may be restored after injury.
For Monza, the injured players are Samuele Birindelli, Alessio Cragno and Stefano Sensi. The suspension of Warren Bondo means Alessandro Nesta will have to find a replacement in midfield, probably Alessandro Bianco or Omari Forson alongside captain Matteo Pessina. Roberto Gagliardini, born in Bergamo and a product of Atalanta’s youth sector, could come back into the starting eleven. Daniel Maldini, fresh from his first few appearances for Italy, will also fight for a place in the team.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Atalanta BC: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Pasalic, Lookman; Retegui
Monza: Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Pessina, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Maldini; Djuric
Prediction
Atalanta’s attacking flair, above all at home, has been one of the decisive factors this season. Even if Gasperini makes some tactical changes, the hosts’ relentless form in scoring goals could be too overwhelming for Monza. We predict a 3-1 win for Atalanta BC.
