Preview: Atalanta vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

1 week ago 10

Sunday’s Serie A action closes out at the Gewiss Stadium with a Champions League six-pointer between Atalanta and Roma. This fixture has all the makings of a season-defining showdown for both sides, with nothing but goal difference separating them before the kick-off.

Fifth-placed Atalanta will take the field in high spirits after a rampant performance against Marseille in midweek Europa League action propelled them into their maiden European final. Goals from Ademola Lookman, Matteo Ruggeri, and El Bilal Toure inspired La Dea to a thumping 3-0 win against the French outfit, booking a mouth-watering final date against Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite Roma’s valiant attempt to turn around a 2-0 first-leg deficit, Daniele De Rossi’s side squandered a two-goal cushion in the second leg at the BayArena. Xabi Alonso’s men scored twice beyond the 80th minute to claim a 2-2 draw and deny Roma a third consecutive appearance in major European finals. As such, Giallorossi’s last chance to secure Champions League football is to beat Atalanta.

With three rounds left and Gian Piero Gasperini’s high-flyers boasting a game in hand, anything other than a win in Bergamo would probably end Roma’s hopes of leapfrogging Atalanta into fifth. The stakes are high, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a repeat of a 1-1 draw in January’s reverse fixture at the Stadio Olimpico.

Match Preview

Atalanta

Thursday’s thrashing of Marseille extended Atalanta’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six matches (W5, D1), setting them up nicely for this high-stakes encounter. However, with a blockbuster Coppa Italia final against Juventus waiting in the wings, Gasperini has to navigate troubled waters and set his priorities straight amidst a congested schedule.

Atalanta can find comfort in their stellar home form. They have clocked up an eye-catching eight wins across their last ten league outings in Bergamo (D1, L1). Bringing other competitions into the equation, they’ve won three straight such fixtures via multiple-goal margins in the build-up to this clash.

Making it four in a row is not beyond Atalanta, considering they’ve emerged victorious from three of the last four Serie A meetings with Roma at the Gewiss Stadium (L1).

Roma

The pressure is on Roma after losing an alternative route into next season’s Champions League. However, the visitors head into proceedings amidst a rough patch, having failed to win their last four competitive matches (D3, L1), three of which saw them concede precisely two goals. But leaving the capital could be a blessing in disguise.

Roma are unbeaten on their last five travels (W2, D3), while they’ve only suffered one defeat in away league action this calendar year (W4, D3, L1). Scoring first would significantly increase Giallorossi’s effort to topple Atalanta on their home ground, as they’ve gone unbeaten in all 19 Serie A games after breaking the deadlock in 2023/24 (W14, D5).

On the downside, they have conceded multiple goals in four of their last five away league matches against Atalanta. If it’s any consolation, Roma got on the scoresheet on each occasion, including a memorable 4-1 victory in December 2021.

Team News

Nothing has changed for Atalanta since Thursday. Gasperini can’t call upon the services of Emil Holm, Rafael Toloi, and Sead Kolasinac. But Giorgio Scalvini and Berat Djimsiti excelled against Marseille, reinforcing the hosts’ confidence about maintaining their purple patch against Roma.

De Rossi refused to risk Paulo Dybala against Leverkusen, leaving the Argentine forward on the bench. But he’ll probably return to the starting XI this weekend at the expense of Sardar Azmoun. Diego Llorente could take Evan Ndicka’s place alongside Gianluca Mancini, with Leonardo Spinazzola expected to stay on the sidelines after picking up an injury in Germany.

Atalanta vs Roma Potential Lineups

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Marco Carnesecchi; Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, Berat Gjimshiti; Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Matteo Ruggeri; Teun Koopmeiners; Ademola Lookman, Gianluca Scamacca.

Roma (4-3-3): Mile Svilar; Angelino, Diego Llorente, Gianluca Mancini, Rick Karsdorp; Bryan Cristante, Leandro Paredes, Leonardo Spinazzola; Stephan El Shaarawy, Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku.

Atalanta vs Roma Prediction

Gasperini has masterminded Atalanta’s three-game unbeaten run against Roma (W2, D1). However, this will be his first managerial duel against De Rossi. An upset is a distinct possibility, but fatigue could play its part as we back the hosts to take a crucial three points.

Prediction: Atalanta Win