Atalanta will hope to get back to their best when they face Venezia at home on Saturday afternoon.
As Atalanta BC continue their pursuit of a historic first Scudetto, they will host relegation-threatened Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday. Fresh from a dominant 5-0 victory over Empoli, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side will look to further strengthen their top-four position and keep their title hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Venezia remain in deep trouble, having gone winless in 2025 and sitting six points adrift of safety. With their away struggles continuing, a trip to Bergamo could further complicate their survival hopes.
Days after their painful UEFA Champions League exit to Club Brugge, Atalanta responded in emphatic fashion by thrashing Empoli 5-0 at the Stadio Castellani. The win came amid internal tensions, as Ademola Lookman, despite a public dispute with Gasperini, was selected and delivered a brilliant brace, taking his Serie A goal tally to 12 this season — just one short of his best-ever league return.
Atalanta have now established themselves as Serie A’s highest-scoring team, while also boasting three consecutive clean sheets in the league. If they keep another shutout against Venezia, it would mark the first time since 1997 that La Dea have recorded four straight clean sheets in Serie A.
A win on Saturday would temporarily lift Atalanta into second place, applying pressure on Inter Milan and Napoli, who face each other later in the evening. However, to maintain their momentum, Atalanta must improve their home form, having drawn their last two league games at Gewiss Stadium before a 3-1 home defeat to Brugge in Europe.
Fortunately for Gasperini’s men, they have dominated Venezia in recent meetings, winning each of their last six Serie A encounters while conceding just one goal in that span. Meanwhile, Venezia’s goalless draw against Lazio last weekend was a creditable result, but their overall struggles remain evident. The Serie B playoff winners now find themselves in 19th place, having failed to win in 2025.
Their attacking woes are a major concern, as they have not scored in their last three league matches. The departure of top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo last month has further weakened their ability to find the back of the net.
Even more concerning is their horrific away record, as Venezia remain without a single away victory this season. Their last league win of any kind came back in December, meaning they desperately need a turnaround to avoid a quick return to Serie B.
Given their poor form, lack of goals, and Atalanta’s attacking power, Venezia face an uphill battle to secure an unlikely result in Bergamo. 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
Atalanta BC will once again be without several key players heading into their clash with Venezia. Gianluca Scamacca, Odilon Kossounou, and Giorgio Scalvini remain long-term absentees, with all three still recovering from their respective injuries.
Additionally, centre-back Isak Hien will be sidelined again due to an adductor injury, further limiting Gian Piero Gasperini’s defensive options.
On a more positive note, Daniel Maldini is set to return, which adds an extra attacking option for the hosts. Meanwhile, Berat Djimsiti has taken part in full training, despite suffering an ankle injury against Empoli, meaning he could be available to feature in the starting lineup.
Up front, Ademola Lookman, who has been involved in 11 home goals in Serie A this season, is expected to support Capocannoniere leader Mateo Retegui. The Italian striker is one of only four players across Europe’s top five leagues with 25 or more goal involvements this season, making him Atalanta’s primary attacking threat.
Atalanta are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with an emphasis on dominant possession, high pressing, and fluid attacking movements. Marco Carnesecchi will retain his place between the posts, offering shot-stopping ability and composure under pressure.
The three-man defence will feature Stefan Posch on the right side, Berat Djimsiti in the central role, and Sead Kolasinac on the left, ensuring defensive stability while supporting build-up play from the back.
In midfield, Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta will operate as wing-backs, providing both width and defensive cover. Marten de Roon and Ederson will control the central midfield, ensuring a balance between defensive security and forward progression.
Further forward, Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman will be deployed in attacking midfield roles, playing just behind Mateo Retegui, who will spearhead the attack as Atalanta’s lone striker.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Posch, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Venezia FC
Venezia will travel to Bergamo without their first-choice goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, who remains sidelined due to injury. This absence means that Ionut Radu will continue to deputise between the posts. Additionally, Richie Sagrado and Michael Svoboda are also unavailable, leaving Venezia short on defensive options.
In attack, Daniel Fila and Mirko Maric, both winter signings, have struggled to make an immediate impact, leaving Venezia without a reliable goalscoring presence since Joel Pohjanpalo’s departure last month. Either Fila or Maric will lead the line, hoping to break their scoring drought.
On a more positive note, Napoli loanee Alessio Zerbin has shown some attacking promise since making his first start for Venezia in January. The dynamic winger has recorded more touches in the opposition box (19) and created more chances (eight) than any other Venezia player during this period, making him one of their biggest attacking threats.
Venezia are expected to set up in a defensive-minded 3-5-2 formation, aiming to contain Atalanta’s attacking threats while trying to counterattack through pace on the wings. In goal, Ionut Radu will step in for the injured Filip Stankovic, looking to keep out Serie A’s highest-scoring team.
The back three will consist of Alessandro Marcandalli, Jay Idzes, and Fali Cande, forming a compact defensive unit that will aim to absorb Atalanta’s pressure and limit space in the final third.
Venezia will deploy a five-man midfield to clog central spaces and frustrate Atalanta’s playmakers. On the right flank, Alessio Zerbin will look to stretch the defence and create chances, while Mikael Egil Ellertsson will operate on the left wing with a focus on supporting counter-attacks.
In central midfield, Kike Perez, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, and Gianluca Busio will be tasked with shielding the defence, breaking up play, and trying to move the ball quickly on the break.
Ahead of them, Gaetano Oristanio will play just behind the lone striker, providing a creative link between midfield and attack. Up front, either Daniel Fila or Mirko Maric will lead the line, desperately needing a breakthrough performance to ignite Venezia’s struggling attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Radu; Marcandalli, Idzes, Cande; Zerbin, Perez, Caviglia, Busio, Ellertsson; Oristanio, Fila
Key Stats
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Atalanta have won each of their last six Serie A games against Venezia, conceding just one goal in that period. This is their longest streak of consecutive wins against a single team in Serie A history, with their record being seven wins (against Bologna, Parma, and Sassuolo).
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Venezia have lost all five of their Serie A matches against Atalanta since 2000, making this their worst 100% loss rate to any opponent in the competition during this period.
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Atalanta have won eight of their 10 home games against Venezia in Serie A (D1 L1), scoring in every match while averaging 2.2 goals per game. In their last three home games vs Venezia, Atalanta have an aggregate score of 6-0.
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Venezia have not scored in any of their last three Serie A matches and could extend that streak to four consecutive goalless games in a single Serie A season for the first time since 1998/99.
Player to Watch
Ademola Lookman
The Nigerian international has been in exceptional form this season, already contributing to 12 Serie A goals, and he remains one of Atalanta’s most dangerous attacking threats. Lookman’s ability to cut inside, create chances, and finish clinically makes him a nightmare for any defense, especially against a struggling Venezia side that has failed to score in its last three matches.
Notably, Lookman has been particularly effective at home, playing a role in 11 goals at Gewiss Stadium this season. With Venezia’s poor defensive record and goalscoring struggles, he will look to exploit their weaknesses and add to his goal tally.
Expect Lookman to be heavily involved in Atalanta’s attacking play, using his pace, dribbling ability, and composure in front of goal to unlock the Venezia defense. If La Dea dominate possession, Lookman could be the decisive factor in another comfortable home victory.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 3-0 Venezia FC
The home side should ease to victory, keeping their top-four push and outside title hopes alive, while Venezia’s relegation concerns deepen. Atalanta are expected to dominate this match, given their superior squad, recent form, and Venezia’s struggles on the road.
Venezia’s defensive setup could frustrate La Dea early on, but the hosts’ firepower should eventually break through. Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere will be key to unlocking the Venezia defence. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Gian Piero Gasperini and his charges.
