A closely-contested top-four battle in Serie A heats up as Atalanta and Roma go head-to-head in Bergamo on Monday. Though the hosts start this round seven points adrift of a coveted fourth spot, the Gewiss Stadium showdown has all the makings of a ‘Champions League six-pointer.’
Following the suspension of Juventus’ point deduction, the complexity of the top-four race in Serie A has turned upside down. With the record-time champions getting the 15 points back, Atalanta must play catch-up on fourth-placed Roma. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will have to gun for maximum points in this clash to increase their faint top-four hopes.
Last Monday’s 1-1 draw away to Fiorentina marked Atalanta’s second successive league match without a win (D1, L1), highlighting the significance of this match-up. Another winless affair would likely render the home team’s top-four chances improbable. But this is hardly an opportune moment to face Roma.
Jose Mourinho’s men thrashed Feyenoord 4-1 on Thursday to book a handsomely-looking Europa League semi-final tie against Bayer Leverkusen. Despite bringing the Giallorossi to the brink of a second straight European final, the Special One has urged his players to drop complacency and self-satisfaction ahead of this trip.
Juventus’ point boost has affected Roma’s position in the Champions League scrap, demoting them to fourth. With fifth-placed Milan breathing down their necks and facing a winnable home contest against bottom-half Lecce, Roma will probably have to waltz away from Bergamo with all three points to cling to fourth.
One way or another, this fixture will have a substantial ride on the top-four race.
Match Preview
Atalanta
Atalanta’s lofty ambitions have spiraled on the back of an underwhelming ten-game league form (W3, D2, L5). Gasperini’s team recorded only two clean sheets in that sequence, though they’ve conceded in their last five Serie A outings. The impending return to the Gewiss Stadium may not be as helpful as home fans would like.
La Dea have claimed only one win in their last four Serie A matches on home turf (D1, L2), failing to get on the scoresheet twice. Furthermore, they have picked up just one point in four home encounters against sides starting this matchday in the top five, courtesy of a 1-1 draw against Milan in August 2022.
If it’s any comfort, Atalanta have only lost three of their last 16 top-flight meetings with Roma (W7, D6).
Player to Watch: Rasmus Hojlund
Despite failing to score in his last three Serie A appearances, Hojlund’s most recent goal for Atalanta was a late winner in a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Empoli, which is accidentally La Dea’s only win in their last four home league games.
Roma
Inspired by the raucous home support, Roma trounced Udinese 3-0 last weekend, extending their winning streak in Serie A to three matches. Each of those three victories came ‘to nil,’ which has, in fact, been the case in all of their nine top-flight triumphs in 2023, highlighting the importance of opening the scoring.
Speaking of the visitors’ defensive prowess, only runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona (11) have had more shutouts in 2023 than the Giallorossi (nine) across Europe’s top-five divisions. But Roma may have to score more than once if they’re to topple Atalanta, considering they’ve managed just three league wins without conceding in Bergamo this century.
After a thumping 4-1 triumph in this corresponding fixture last season, Roma could win back-to-back Serie A matches in Bergamo for the first time since 2001.
Player to Watch: Tammy Abraham
Abraham ran the show at the Gewiss Stadium last season, scoring on either side of halftime. The English forward averages one goal every 84 minutes against Atalanta, so he’ll be under the spotlight on Monday.
Team News
In addition to injury-prone Hans Hateboer, Atalanta cannot call upon the services of up-and-coming left-back Matteo Ruggeri. Gasperini remains hopeful of welcoming quicksilver winger Ademola Lookman back to the fold from a minor muscle injury.
As for Roma, Rick Karsdorp is the only definite absentee. But Georginio Wijnaldum and Chris Smalling picked up injury concerns against Feyenoord and may not be fit to start. The rest of Mourinho’s team is ready to make this journey.
Atalanta vs Roma Potential Lineups
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Marco Sportiello; Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, Giorgio Scalvini; Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Joakim Maehle; Teun Koopmeiners; Rasmus Hojlund, Duvan Zapata.
Roma (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Roger Ibanez, Diego Llorente; Nicola Zalewski, Bryan Cristante, Nemanja Matic, Stephan El Shaarawy; Lorenzo Pellegrini, Paulo Dybala; Tammy Abraham.
Atalanta vs Roma Prediction
With Roma’s defensive soundness and Atalanta’s scoring struggles, the away team could leave Bergamo with maximum points, effectively crushing their opponents’ aspirations for Champions League qualification.
Prediction: Roma Win
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