Atalanta vs Torino: Preview and Prediction

Atalanta will shift their focus to league matters as Gian Piero Gasperini’s title-chasing side welcomes Torino to Bergamo.

Gian Piero Gasperini will be a bit disappointed after his Atalanta side did not finish within the last eight of the UEFA Champions League. Given there was a big chance to do so, especially as the Bergamo side were well within range for throughout the league phase, but faltered at the last hurdle.

Scenes from Aston Villa showed their players waiting for Atalanta’s game with Barcelona to conclude, and as this clash ended in a 2-2 draw, Unai Emery’s men finished in the top eight. La Dea had to settle for the ninth spot, and now they will have to play in a two-legged playoff to determine their passage into the round of 16.

While there are hurdles before they reach the round of 16 round, Gasperini will want a full shift of focus towards matters in the league. After setting the pace early on, Atalanta have stuttered in Serie A. Some slip-ups along the way, including against leaders Napoli, have seen them trail Antonio Conte’s men by seven points already, which does put them under pressure to at least maintain that gap when they face Torino.

In recent seasons, Torino have acted as a bogey team for Atalanta, with two wins in their last three meetings. That was not the case before, as the Turin side failed to find success against the Bergamo outfit in the 14 games before, which does make this specific clash very interesting.

In fact, Torino come into this clash at the back of an unbeaten run spanning five games in Serie A. While those results included only a single victory against Cagliari last weekend, they have managed four consecutive draws, including against top-four chasers Juventus and Fiorentina.

Team News & Tactics

Atalanta

Atalanta had defensive problems, and the midweek clash with Barcelona may have created more issues at the back. Key starters Giorgio Scalvini and Sead Kolasinac were withdrawn, with the latter dislocating his shoulder. Odilon Kossounou is also missing from action, meaning Isak Hien could be a welcome boost for Gasperini.

The defender has served a suspension and is back in contention for the Bergamo outfit. He will partner with skipper Rafael Toloi and Berat Djimsiti. In terms of other absentees, Gianluca Scamacca remains a long-term injury problem, although Atalanta has also lost key man Ademola Lookman until the second half of February.

The Nigerian’s absence will be felt by Gasperini, who was recently without top scorer Mateo Retegui. While the latter has since returned and is in a good vein of form, the manager will look to place the attacking burden on the Italian international and Belgian attacker Charles De Ketelaere.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Samardzic, De Ketelaere; Retegui

Torino

There are not fresh problems with this Torino side in terms of injury, although Mergim Vojvoda and Ivan Ilic have joined in the treatment room. Perr Schuurs and ex-Atalanta star Duvan Zapata are the long-term absentees.

Eljif Elmas, who has returned to action, could not be rushed back into starting games, as he is likely to begin on the Torino bench for this clash. Torino is likely to set up a 4-4-2 against Atalanta, with Guillermo Maripan and Saul Coco marshalling the central defence.

Samuele Ricci and Adrien Tameze are the preferred options in central defence, while Valentino Lazaro and Yann Karmoh operate in wide roles. Nikola Vlasic and Che Adams are expected to start up front.

The latter, who has seven goals in Serie A so far, could match or break the late Denis Law’s record for most goals in Serie A by a Scottish player when the legendary star reached double-figure during his time at Torino.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Sosa; Lazaro, Ricci, Tameze, Karamoh; Adams, Vlasic

Key Stats

  • Atalanta have scored at least three goals in their last fiur home matches against Torino in all competitions.
  • Atalanta have not kept a clean sheet at home in the league since October.
  • Torino have won two of their last three meetings with Atalanta.
  • Torino have drawn three of their last four away games in Serie A.

Player to Watch

Mateo Retegui

Embed from Getty Images

The Italian international has been in a good vein of form since returning from injury, although he must now take extra responsibility following the injury to Lookman. The latter’s absence will be felt in a big way, but Gian Piero Gasperini will rely on Retegui, Atalanta’s top goalscorer this season.

The idea of staying in the title race seems difficult without a talent like Ademola Lookman, although the fans are happy with Retegui’s form. Hence, it’s a big opportunity for the striker to stake a claim as Atalanta’s biggest and most influential star with a big performance against Torino.

Prediction

Atalanta 3-1 Torino

Torino have had a difficult record of late in away games, and they might struggle to keep up with the intensity Gian Piero Gasperini’s men will bring to the pitch. While the Granata have a favourable recent record against the Bergamo outfit, Atalanta are a different animal to tame this time around.

Despite missing a key star like Lookman, Gasperini’s men have the firepower to overcome the challenge posed by Torino. They are expected to take three points in this clash, with Mateo Retegui expected to be the star performer for Atalanta on Saturday. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Gasperini and his charges.

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