Atalanta will face Sturm Graz in a must-win UEFA Champions League encounter in Bergamo, which will shape their chances of an automatic qualification spot.
Gian Piero Gasperini will rue his team’s current form, which has seen Atalanta fail to win any of their last five games across competitions as they prepare for the visit of Sturm Graz on Tuesday. Those include three draws in Serie A, an exit from the Supercoppa Italiana semi-finals, and then a defeat to title rivals Napoli on home soil.
Gasperini is eager for his players to find form in the coming fixtures across all competitions, starting with the Champions League home clash with Sturm Graz. Atalanta lost their most recent game in the competition against Real Madrid, which has pushed them into the 13th spot, as they are currently in a must-win situation.
Atalanta want the league phase wrapped up with automatic qualification, but there are potential ramifications if they end up dropping points on Tuesday to Sturm Graz. Gasperini will want a statement win against the Austrian team to stand a chance for a top-eight place, as a loss will put that in jeopardy, with the team set for a visit to Barcelona in their final league phase game.
If this game is a must-win for Atalanta, Sturm Graz will come to Bergamo with the intent of becoming the first-ever Austrian side to beat an Italian team in the competition. There have been 14 games played previously between clubs of both nations, with the Austrians failing to beat anyone.
Sturm Graz are in a precarious position with their own hopes of making it into the top-24. With three points on board so far, their chances of climbing up are looking slim. The task in front of them is a mammoth one, given that this is also a must-win encounter for the Austrians. A loss or even a draw would all but end their journey in Europe’s premier competition this season.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini’s injury troubles are minimal at this point following the recent return of striker Mateo Retegui. Long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca is still sidelined, while Odilon Kossounou and veteran Juan Cuadrado are also set to miss this game.
Gasperini will have to make choose wing-back pairing from his current options. Those include Raoul Bellanova, Matteo Ruggeri and Davide Zappacosta. He will also reunite his fearsome attacking trio of Mateo Retegui, Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.
Ederson and Marten De Roon will marshall Atalanta’s midfield, with Bellanova and Ruggeri the likely choices for the wide roles. At the back, Isak Hein will have Berat Djimsiti and Sead Kolasinac on either side, with the latter set to return following a suspension in Serie A.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Sturm Graz
Jurgen Saumel will enter this UEFA Champions League clash with a somewhat depleted squad compared to their most recent loss to LOSC Lille. In the ongoing January transfer window, Sturm Graz have lost top scorer Mika Beireth to AS Monaco, while left-back Jusuf Gazibegovic has joined Koln.
Furthermore, there are a few injury-related absentees for this trip to Bergamo. Max Johnston and Seedy Jatta are doubts, although they will undergo a late test to determine their participation. The latter is still very much expected to play.
Martin Kern and Alexandar Borkovic are all absent for this clash. There were returns for goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen and Amady Camara, although only the former is expected to keep his place in the lineup for Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-2-2): Scherpen; Geyrhofer, Aiwu, Wuthrich, Lavalee; Chukwuani, Stankovic, Yalcouye, Kiteishvili; Boving, Jatta
Key Stats
- Atalanta have one home win in their last ten UEFA Champions League game in Bergamo.
- Atalanta are winless in their last five games across all competitions.
- No Austrian side have ever beaten Italian opposition ever in the Champions League.
- Any dropped points away at Atalanta would end Sturm Graz’s Champions League campaign this season.
Player to Watch
Mateo Retegui
Retegui’s recent absence coincided with Atalanta’s lack of wins in the league, while they also suffered an early exit from the Supercoppa Italiana. However, he has made a goalscoring return from injury, with the striker scoring in his last two league outings.
Gian Piero Gasperini will hope for some of the same when they take on Sturm Graz, as the club need a big push in the Champions League right now. With Retegui back to full fitness, Atalanta could have three of their fearsome attackers back together, and Gasperini will hope to have a prolific night on the pitch.
Prediction
Atalanta 3-0 Sturm Graz
Sturm Graz have been good enough in the Austrian Bundesliga this term, but it is the UEFA Champions League where their youthful squad have been found wanting. They are certainly on the brink of exiting the competition with a draw or loss, as they may not have what it takes to beat an Atalanta side eager to win.
Atalanta are coming into this clash because of no wins in their last five games across all competitions. Gian Piero Gasperini hopes his team gets a big win in the bag to boost their confidence and get some rhythm in place. La Dea are expected to take three points and make a final push towards an automatic qualification place ahead of the final game of the league phase.
