Atalanta will be keen to overturn the 1-0 deficit against Fiorentina as they eye a return to the Coppa Italia final.
Last season’s fallen finalists, Fiorentina will hope to have another bite at the cherry when they travel to the Bergamo to take on Atalanta in the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg on Wednesday night. La Viola won the first leg 1-0 and hold the edge going into the tie.
Atalanta, trailing 1-0, owe a debt of gratitude to goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi for keeping the scoreline respectable in the first leg at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Rolando Mandragora’s brilliant strike in Florence gave Fiorentina the slim advantage.
Despite the setback, La Dea remain in contention for a place in next month’s final at Stadio Olimpico and will take heart from having recently stunned Liverpool in the UEFA Europa League. However, their league form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last seven Serie A matches.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, currently in sixth place, still trails behind AS Roma and Bologna in the league. However, a fifth-place finish would secure Champions League qualification due to Italy’s UEFA club coefficient.
Atalanta last won the Coppa Italia in 1963 and has since lost four times in the final, with Gasperini at the helm for the last two defeats. The veteran coach will certainly cement his spot in the club’s annals should he lead them to the promised land.
On the other hand, Fiorentina, aiming for their first Coppa Italia title since 2001, are also focused on reaching the Europa Conference League final. Under coach Vincenzo Italiano, they have consistently reached the Coppa Italia semi-finals but have yet to claim silverware.
La Viola, currently ninth in Serie A, defeated Atalanta 3-2 in their last league encounter. With their recent away win against Salernitana, they hope to replicate their success in Bergamo. Both teams are eager to secure European qualification through cup success, as their league campaigns have faltered.
The outcome of this second leg will significantly impact their season aspirations. The Hard Tackle examines potential lineups and tactics for both sides in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Atalanta face the likelihood of missing key players for the upcoming second leg clash. Giorgio Scalvini, a vital defender, remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Additionally, Emil Holm and Rafael Toloi, who sustained calf and muscular injuries respectively over the weekend, are doubtful for Wednesday’s crucial encounter. Their absence could pose a significant challenge for Atalanta as they seek to overturn the deficit and secure a spot in the final.
Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to retain his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation, with Marco Carnesecchi in goal. The 23-year-old should be protected by the back three of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac.
Ederson and Marten De Roon will hold the fort in the middle of the park, while Matteo Ruggeri and Davide Zappacosta providing the width. The wing-back duo were rested against Monza and will be full of energy as Atalanta seek to secure an early goal.
Charles De Ketelaere scored against Monza but should make way for Teun Koopmeiners, who will form dual number tens alongside the dynamic Ademola Lookman. Gianluca Scamacca was also rested against Monza and will be raring to go against Fiorentina.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, Lookman; Scamacca
ACF Fiorentina
Vincenzo Italiano emphasised the importance of cup competitions during Sunday’s match, opting to heavily rotate his squad at Stadio Arechi. This decision led to Gaetano Castrovilli making his first league appearance in nearly a year, while Antonin Barak was deployed out of position.
The likes of Luca Beltran, Nico Gonzalez, Andrea Belotti, and Giacomo Bonaventura, were absent from the trip to Salernitana due to minor injuries. However, they are all expected to return and feature against Atalanta.
Although Oliver Christensen recently returned from injury and had been starting in Fiorentina’s Coppa Italia matches before the semi-final first leg, Pietro Terracciano, the first-choice goalkeeper, is likely to get the nod in goal.
A 4-2-3-1 formation appears to be the way forward on the night with numbers in the middle of the park likely to make a difference. Pietro Terracciano should start as the last line of defence behind the back four of Michael Kayode, Nikola Milenkovic, Luca Ranieri, and Cristiano Biraghi.
Rolando Mandragora and Arthur Melo should form the double pivot with Luca Beltran, Nico Gonzalez and Christian Kouame providing the attacking thrust. Andrea Belotti, is expected to return to the number nine’s role.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Terracciano; Kayode, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi; Mandragora, Arthur Melo; Gonzalez, Beltran, Kouame; Belotti
Key Stats
- Atalanta have won the Coppa Italia just once, all the way back in 1963.
- Fiorentina have won the Coppa Italia title six times so far, with the latest one coming in 2001.
- This is the third time that Fiorentina and Atalanta have faced off against each other in the Coppa Italia semifinal stage.
- Atalanta have never overturned a 1-0 deficit in the Coppa Italia semifinal stage.
Player to Watch
Teun Koopmeiners
The Dutchman has been a pivotal player for La Dea and was rightfully rested for the trip to Monza. His ability to carry the ball and unlock defences could prove the difference for the home side and provide Gianluca Scamacca with the ammunition needed to make the difference.
Teun Koopmeiners is attracting attention from several top teams, and leading Atalanta to silverware will do his credentials no harm. He is easily the home side’s standout player on the night and usually one for the big occassion.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 2-1 ACF Fiorentina (Atalanta to win on penalties)
La Dea will be running high on confidence and will want to make their dominance at home known. The game is unlikely to be one sided given that both teams are taking the cup seriously. While the margin between both ides wont be much, Gian Piero Gasperini should see his side just get over the line in the end.
