Atalanta will aim to strengthen their grip on the top spot when they take on Empoli on Sunday evening.
Atalanta BC will aim to cap off their incredible run of form and remain at the top of Serie A when they host Empoli FC at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday evening. With ten consecutive league wins under their belt, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are in scintillating form and on course to spend Christmas as Italy’s number one.
Last weekend, Atalanta edged past Cagliari in a tight 1-0 victory thanks to Nicolo Zaniolo’s goal and some spectacular goalkeeping by Marco Carnesecchi. This victory extended their league tally to 12 wins from 16 matches, firmly establishing them as serious title contenders in an enthralling Serie A campaign.
The midweek tie saw La Dea continue their dominance with a commanding 6-1 victory over Cesena in the Coppa Italia, where Charles De Ketelaere bagged a brace, setting the stage for a quarter-final clash against Bologna. With ambitions spanning across four competitions, including the Supercoppa Italiana and their Europa League campaign, Atalanta’s momentum seems unstoppable.
Having lost only once in 12 home Serie A encounters against Empoli, Gasperini’s men will be confident of extending their winning streak. However, the Atalanta boss will caution his players against complacency, especially against an Empoli side that has proven to be resilient on the road.
Empoli FC, meanwhile, face a daunting task as they visit Lombardy, having lost their last four meetings with Atalanta by an aggregate score of 9-1. However, Roberto D’Aversa’s side can draw encouragement from their impressive away record this season. With 12 points from eight away fixtures, Empoli boast one of Serie A’s best records on the road, bettered by only five teams, including Atalanta.
The Azzurri kicked off December with morale-boosting victories in the Coppa Italia against Fiorentina and in Serie A against Hellas Verona, but their home struggles continued last weekend. A spectacular long-range lob by Che Adams condemned Empoli to a 1-0 loss at the Stadio Castellani, leaving them precariously clinging to a spot in the top half of the table.
Despite their injuries and inconsistent form at home, Empoli have exceeded expectations this season and will have little to lose when they face one of Europe’s most prolific attacking sides. Their resilience on the road could provide the foundation for a potential upset. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Atalanta will be forced to make several changes to their lineup as captain Marten De Roon is unavailable due to suspension. The Dutch midfielder’s absence is expected to be filled by either Mario Pasalic or Marco Brescianini, who will join Ederson in the central midfield. Meanwhile, the attack will likely feature Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere supporting Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui.
Injury concerns persist for the Bergamo side, as Giorgio Scalvini remains sidelined with a shoulder issue, while long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca continues his recovery from an ACL injury. However, there is some positive news with wing-back Matteo Ruggeri, who is expected to shake off an ankle problem in time for the game.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is anticipated to line up in their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with Marco Carnesecchi in goal, a defensive trio of Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac, while Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta provide width and support as wing-backs. This structure ensures a balanced approach as Atalanta aim to extend their incredible winning streak and celebrate Christmas as Serie A leaders.
Ederson is expected to start in midfield alongside either Mario Pasalic or Marco Brescianini, ensuring a solid presence in the engine room. Meanwhile, the attacking setup will likely feature Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere supporting Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui up front, a combination that has been central to Atalanta’s recent success.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Empoli FC
Empoli will once again contend with significant selection challenges as Ola Solbakken has undergone surgery for a shoulder injury sustained in training, ruling him out of action. He is joined on the sidelines by Pietro Pellegri, Tyronne Ebuehi, Saba Sazonov, and Nicolas Haas. Adding to their woes, Mattia De Sciglio is suspended following his red card against Torino.
However, there is positive news for Roberto D’Aversa as Liam Henderson returns to the fold after serving a one-match suspension, and both Jacopo Fazzini and Szymon Zurkowski have resumed full training. In the absence of Pellegri, Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo will lead the line for the Azzurri, with all three of his Serie A goals impressively coming on the road this season.
Empoli are expected to adopt a 3-5-2 formation, with Devis Vasquez taking his place between the posts. A back three of Saba Goglichidze, Ardian Ismajli, and Mattia Viti will provide defensive stability. The wing-back roles will be filled by Emmanuel Gyasi on the right and Giuseppe Pezzella on the left, offering both defensive coverage and attacking width.
In midfield, Tino Anjorin, Liam Henderson, and Youssef Maleh will work together to dictate play and provide balance. Up front, Sebastiano Esposito will partner Lorenzo Colombo in the strike partnership as Empoli look to take advantage of their strong away record.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Vasquez; Goglichidze, Ismajli, Viti; Gyasi, Anjorin, Henderson, Maleh, Pezzella; Esposito, Colombo
Key Stats
- Atalanta have won their last four league matches against Empoli with an aggregate score of 9-1. These four wins equal the total number of victories La Dea achieved in their previous 10 games against the Tuscan side in Serie A (D4 L2).
- Atalanta have avoided defeat in 11 of their 12 home games against Empoli in Serie A, boasting a record of six wins and five draws. They have the chance to record three consecutive home wins against Empoli for the first time in the top flight. Empoli’s only away success at Atalanta came on May 21, 2022, in a 1-0 win with a goal from Leo Stulac.
- Atalanta have won 10 consecutive league matches for the first time in their Serie A history. This historic run has also seen them remain top of the table for at least two consecutive matchdays, another first in their Serie A history.
- Atalanta have won 12 of their 16 matches in Serie A this season (D1 L3), setting a club record for victories in the first part of a Serie A campaign.
- Atalanta have drawn only one of their last 23 home league games (W17 D5), which was a 2-2 result against Hellas Verona on April 15, 2023. During this period, they have scored 59 goals at the Gewiss Stadium in Serie A, averaging 2.6 goals per game.
Player to Watch
Ademola Lookman
The Nigerian forward has been a vital attacking force for Atalanta, using his pace, skill, and clinical finishing to great effect this season. With a knack for creating and converting chances, Lookman has been instrumental in the team’s remarkable run of form that sees them sitting atop Serie A.
Lookman’s ability to exploit spaces on the wings and cut inside to threaten the goal will be crucial against an Empoli defence that has shown vulnerability in recent matches. His link-up play with Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui could also prove pivotal in breaking down the opposition’s defence. As one of Atalanta’s most consistent performers this season, all eyes will be on Lookman to make the difference at the Gewiss Stadium.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 3-1 Empoli FC
Expect Atalanta to dominate possession and create plenty of chances, with Empoli potentially finding the net through a set-piece or counterattack. However, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men should comfortably extend their winning streak to 11 games.
This match-up pits the league leaders against one of the best away sides in Serie A. While Atalanta’s form suggests another comfortable victory, Empoli’s defensive discipline and counter-attacking prowess could make this a closer contest than expected.
