Atalanta BC will aim to reduce the points deficit to AS Roma when the two sides go head-to-head in a crunch Serie A clash.
Gian Piero Gasperini will hope to start a resurgent run for Atalanta at some stage and will hope that begins against their top-four rivals AS Roma. La Dea have had a terrible start to 2023, losing their grip over a top-four place over many weeks.
The last matchday was another blow for Atalanta as they were held by Fiorentina, which consolidated their seventh position on the table. With seven points separating them from fourth-placed Roma, there’s still a small amount of hope left in Gasperini to take the onus and make a late charge towards a Champions League place.
Atalanta have lacked the firepower in front of goal since the World Cup, and that form hasn’t changed. None of Duvan Zapata, Luis Muriel or promising star Rasmus Hojlund have performed consistently, but Gasperini will hope there is hunger in his team to make it count when it matters the most.
Roma come into this clash in supreme form in the league and have made it into the Europa League’s semi-finals. Their terrific yet nervy win over Feyenoord in midweek may have some tired legs, as Jose Mourinho’s men had to dig deep to find goals in extra time.
Questo viaggio non è ancora finito…💛❤️
Ecco lo Zoom di #RomaFeyenoord…🍿#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/vMQ0LGTXFo
— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) April 22, 2023
Roma have won the last three games in the league without conceding a goal. For now, they are firmly in control of their position in fourth but know the looming threat of Milan in fifth, with only three points separating the two Italian giants.
Meanwhile, The FIGC ruling on Juventus was overturned, meaning the 15 points deduction no longer remains the case. It has added pressure on Roma, considering the Bianconeri are now third with 59 points and Inter Milan in fifth with 54 points. Hence, a win over Atalanta seems imperative to consolidate a top-four finish.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Gian Piero Gasperini may have to continue dealing with injuries to key personnel. That includes Ademola Lookman, who might miss out with an injury, while Mario Pasalic’s situation also remains unclear. Matteo Ruggeri will certainly join Hans Hateboer on the list of long-term absentees.
Sempre al nostro fianco 🖤💙
Our travelling fans 🫶👏#GoAtalantaGo pic.twitter.com/RkmuSzHsqy
— Atalanta B.C. (@Atalanta_BC) April 18, 2023
Keeper Juan Musso could regain his spot after being dropped against Fiorentina. He could replace Marco Sportiello in goal, while Gasperini sets up the team in the usual manner, with a back three likely to remain alongside the two attacking wingbacks in Davide Zappacosta and Joakim Maehle.
Rafael Toloi, Berat Djimsiti, and Giorgio Scalvini will marshall the defence at the back. Marten de Roon and Ederson should keep their double pivot in midfield, with Teun Koopmeiners playing the advanced role behind the front two.
Without Lookman, Gasperini will have to select his best available front duo. Zapata and Hojlund should make the cut to lead the line and hope to find a way through that Roma defence.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Musso; Toloi, Djimsiti, Scalvini; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Maehle; Koopmeiners; Zapara, Hojlund
AS Roma
Jose Mourinho will be wary of his side’s growing injury and fitness issues. In midweek, one may have assumed Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham were rushed back after sustaining injuries in the first leg against Feyenoord. Hence, risking the duo for large periods will play in the manager’s mind, but the attackers could start.
Next stop: Bergamo. 📌 #ASRoma #AtalantaRoma pic.twitter.com/W5l17yUGVR
— AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) April 23, 2023
That game in midweek also saw Chris Smalling and Georginio Wijnaldum get withdrawn, and the duo could now miss the trip to Atalanta. Ola Solbakken and Rick Karsdorp remain unavailable for this clash, as Mourinho could look to field some of his fringe players.
Roger Ibanez should return to fitness for Roma and replace Smalling. Meanwhile, Abraham should make the starting team sheet and replace Andrea Belotti, who is yet to score a Serie A goal this season.
Mourinho should stick with his three at the back while relying on Nicola Zalewski and Leonardo Spinazzola to provide width from wingback positions. The manager will trust Nemanja Matic and Bryan Cristante to marshall the midfield, with Lorenzo Pellegrini playing the advanced role behind Abraham and Dybala.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Patricio; Mancini, Ibanez, Llorente; Zawleski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini; Dybala, Abraham
Key Stats
- Atalanta have seen over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 home matches against Roma in all competitions.
- Atalanta have averaged 1 goal per game over the last 4 home games.
- Roma have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches in Serie A.
- Roma have won their last 3 matches in Serie A.
- Roma have won only 1 out of their last 5 games on the road.
Player to Watch
Paulo Dybala
DYBALA SCORES LATE FOR ROMA TO KEEP THEIR HOPES ALIVE 🔥
LA JOYA 💎 pic.twitter.com/7RWoPGUHba
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 20, 2023
The Argentine star was there to show his worth in this Roma side by grabbing the late goal in midweek to give Roma a standing chance in the Europa League. As a result, Jose Mourinho’s men could wield control of the game in extra time and go through to the next round.
Mourinho will hope Dybala hits his best form between now and the end of the season to ensure Roma have a terrific and rewarding finish to the campaign. The Argentine will have to step up his game and make sure the team keeps hold of the fourth spot, and he could start with a solid display against Atalanta.
Prediction
Atalanta 1-1 AS Roma
Atalanta are desperate to hit the right vein of form ahead of the last phase of the season, and they will have made preparations to hurt Roma. However, with an evident lack of firepower on their side and the goals drying up, one can only assume this clash will result in a low-scoring affair.
On the other hand, Roma are hitting top form, but there were evident defensive lapses in midweek. Jose Mourinho will feel the pressure of the Milan clubs behind them on the table and could ask his team to show adventure, which may play a role in a cagey draw.
As Roma will get the point
Mourinho is going to ask his team to show adventure but then they’ll play cagey?
A draw might be right. Most people seem to be unaware of or ignoring the possibility of tired legs and the huge absence of Smalling. The last time he was absent, Roma lost away to Cremonese.