Atalanta will hope to get their Serie A title aspirations back on track when they face Cagliari at home on Saturday afternoon.
Fresh off a controversial UEFA Champions League defeat to Club Brugge, Atalanta BC must refocus on their Serie A campaign as they host Cagliari Calcio at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday. With a top-four finish still within their grasp, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men will aim to maintain their momentum and bounce back from their midweek disappointment.
Cagliari, on the other hand, remain embroiled in a relegation battle but come into this fixture after securing a crucial 2-1 win over Parma. While they have a strong record in Bergamo, their poor defensive form could leave them vulnerable against Atalanta’s potent attack.
Atalanta were on course for a 1-1 draw in Belgium before conceding a late penalty that saw them fall 2-1 to Club Brugge in the Champions League playoff first leg. Despite their frustrations, they remain in control of their destiny, with a home leg still to play next week.
Domestically, La Dea are all but out of the title race, but they firmed their grip on third place with a dominant 5-0 victory over Hellas Verona last weekend. Mateo Retegui was the star of the show, scoring four goals, and he will again be central to their attacking ambitions.
Gasperini is on the verge of a historic milestone — he needs just one more point to reach 600 as Atalanta’s head coach. A victory on Saturday would give him that achievement while ensuring Atalanta keep their top-four rivals at bay.
Cagliari boosted their survival hopes last week by edging Parma 2-1, with debutant Florinel Coman scoring a stunning long-range goal. However, Davide Nicola’s side remain just four points clear of the relegation zone, meaning they must continue picking up results. While they beat Atalanta 1-0 in the reverse fixture, Cagliari’s defensive record remains a major concern. They have managed just two clean sheets all season and none away from home.
Moreover, Cagliari have won just one of their last nine away league games — a narrow victory over last-placed Monza. Their struggles against top-half opposition are also alarming, as they have only taken four points from teams inside the top 10. 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
Gian Piero Gasperini has hinted that key players Ademola Lookman, Sead Kolasinac, and recent signing Daniel Maldini could be fit for next week’s Champions League return leg against Club Brugge, but they are not expected to feature against Cagliari on Saturday.
Additionally, first-choice goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi remains a doubt for this match, with Juan Musso on standby to step in if needed. Meanwhile, Odilon Kossounou is ruled out and will join long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini on the sidelines.
Despite the upcoming European fixture, Mateo Retegui is likely to start, given his red-hot form, having already scored 20 Serie A goals this season. Only four players in Atalanta’s history have ever netted more in a single campaign, making him an essential presence in attack.
Atalanta are expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Marco Carnesecchi in goal, provided he passes a late fitness test. The back three will likely consist of Stefan Posch, Isak Hien, and Berat Djimsiti, with the trio tasked with providing defensive solidity.
In midfield, Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Ruggeri will operate as the wing-backs, contributing both defensively and offensively. The central midfield partnership of Ederson and Marten de Roon will be responsible for controlling possession, breaking up Cagliari’s counter-attacks, and dictating the tempo of the game.
Further up the pitch, Marco Brescianini will serve as the advanced playmaker, occupying the attacking midfield role. His creativity and link-up play will be key in supplying the front two. Leading the attack will be Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui. The former will look to support Retegui, whose goalscoring prowess will be Atalanta’’ primary weapon.
Despite a tight schedule with Champions League commitments, Gasperini is expected to field a strong XI, aiming to secure back-to-back league victories and tighten Atalanta’s hold on third place in the Serie A standings.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Brescianini; De Ketelaere, Retegui
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari will have a full squad available for this crucial encounter, as Zito Luvumbo has returned to full training after recovering from an ankle injury. Manager Davide Nicola is likely to maintain a settled starting XI, though there is competition on the left wing, with Florinel Coman pushing for a start after his impressive impact off the bench in the 2-1 win over Parma.
A key player to watch for Cagliari is Roberto Piccoli, who interestingly made his top-flight debut for Atalanta in April 2019. The striker has an unusual record — 16 of his 19 career Serie A goals have come in the second half of seasons, and each goal has been scored against a different club. His ability to find the net against a variety of opponents could prove crucial in this matchup.
Cagliari are expected to set up in a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Elia Caprile starting in goal. The defensive line will likely feature Gabriele Zappa at right-back, Yerry Mina and Sebastiano Luperto as the centre-back pairing, and Tommaso Augello at left-back.
In midfield, Nadir Zortea and Mattia Felici will take up the wide positions, offering pace and width, while Antoine Makoumbou and Michel Adopo anchor the central areas, tasked with providing defensive cover and initiating counter-attacks.
Further forward, Nicolas Viola will operate as an attacking midfielder, playing just behind Roberto Piccoli, who will lead the line as Cagliari’s main goal threat. Cagliari’s biggest challenge in this game will be their defensive resilience.
With only two clean sheets all season and none away from home, their ability to contain Atalanta’s potent attack will be key to securing a positive result. If they can remain compact and disciplined, they could frustrate Atalanta and look to capitalise on counter-attacks led by Piccoli and Viola.
Probable Lineup (4-4-1-1): Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello; Zortea, Makoumbou, Adopo, Felici; Viola; Piccoli
Key Stats
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Atalanta and Cagliari have not drawn any of their last 19 Serie A meetings (Atalanta 11 wins, Cagliari 8 wins). The last draw was a 1-1 stalemate in January 2013.
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Cagliari have won four of their last six away games against Atalanta in Serie A (L2) after failing to win any of the previous 14 (D4 L10).
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Atalanta have won five of their last six February Serie A meetings against Cagliari (L1), showing their historical dominance in this month.
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Atalanta have failed to win five of their last seven league games (D4 L1), but they have won two of their last three (D1), including a 5-0 win over Hellas Verona last weekend.
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Cagliari have earned only four of their 24 Serie A points this season against teams in the top 10 — only Lecce (2 points) have performed worse against the league’s elite.
Player to Watch
Mateo Retegui
The Italian international has already netted 20 Serie A goals this season, making him one of the most prolific strikers in the league. With his lethal finishing, intelligent movement, and physical presence, he has become a nightmare for defenders.
Last weekend, Retegui delivered a stunning performance against Hellas Verona, scoring four of Atalanta’s five goals in their dominant 5-0 victory. His ability to find space inside the box, hold up play, and convert chances with both feet and his head makes him a complete forward.
Against Cagliari’s fragile defence, which has conceded in every away match this season, Retegui will look to capitalize on any defensive lapses. With wing-backs Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Ruggeri providing service, and Charles De Ketelaere and Marco Brescianini supporting him in attack, Retegui should have plenty of chances to add to his already impressive goal tally.
Given Atalanta’s intense schedule, Gian Piero Gasperini may consider resting some players ahead of their Champions League return leg against Club Brugge, but Retegui is too important to leave out. If Atalanta are to continue their push for a top-four finish, they will need their star striker to be at his best.
Expect Mateo Retegui to be the focal point of Atalanta’s attack, and if Cagliari’s defence gives him even a slight opening, he won’t hesitate to punish them.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 3-1 Cagliari Calcio
Atalanta will be looking to respond positively after their midweek setback, and with Cagliari’s defensive vulnerabilities, they should be able to capitalise. Expect Mateo Retegui and Mario Pasalic to play key roles in a comfortable home victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win fo Gian Piero Gasperini and his charges.
