Two giants of Italian football, now far away from the title race contest their match to stay relevant in the top-four race as Atalanta host Lazio at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s place at the helm has already been called into question, as the veteran manager now looks to stay relevant in a top-four race rather than fighting for the title. Atalanta’s hopes for the Scudetto have evaporated in recent weeks, and the Bergamo side are now vying to avoid three defeats in a row, which has happened only twice before in this manager’s reign, when they take on Lazio this weekend.
After smashing Juventus 4-0 away from home, Atalanta showed character and may have re-confirmed their status as one of the three teams fighting for the title. However, back-to-back losses to Inter Milan on home soil and then to Fiorentina away from home have pinned them back into fighting for a top-four race, where their position is far from guaranteed despite a decent lead on the table.
As Atalanta prepare to host fellow top-four chasers Lazio, they are on a six-game winless streak in Bergamo while failing to score in their last three. La Dea’s season threatens to unravel, and with another loss, they could allow the capital giants to close the gap on them to just three points heading into the last stretch of Serie A.
Meanwhile, things are not merry in Rome, as Lazio are experiencing a tough period themselves, and Marco Baroni is still getting the feels of this squad and the system he would like to implement. The Biancocelesti are coming to Bergamo at the back of a run of four winless games, something the manager would like to change instantly.
There is the added incentive of beating Atalanta and going as close as three points off the Bergamo side, although there are some big questions about Baroni’s side and their performances against the big teams. They were recently thrashed by Bologna just last month with a 5-0 scoreline, while leaders Inter Milan also scored six past them at the end of 2024.
Baroni, much like Gasperini will now be desperate to stay relevant in a top-four battle, as Lazio could potentially make things interesting on that front. Atalanta would want to maintain their stronghold on the third spot, although their performances and many issues behind the scenes suggest nothing is stable there, and Lazio, will want to end a bad run to assert themselves firmly for a Champions League spot.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini continues to miss a host of players, with many of those prominent stars out on a long-term basis. Striker Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are those missing from action for a long time, but there are other absentees such as Odilon Kossounou, Stefan Posch, and Marco Palestra.
There are doubts over Juan Cuadrado’s participation, although, on the positive side, in-demand midfielder Ederson is available again after serving a suspension. Gasperini will trust the defence to be handled by Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac.
Ederson should slot straight back into the lineup in Atalanta’s midfield alongside Marten De Roon. Mario Pasalic might be chosen to play in the more advanced role behind the attacking front two of Mateo Retegui and Ademola Lookman.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; Lookman, Retegui
Lazio
There aren’t many issues to deal with for Marco Baroni, with Arijon Ibrahimovic and Patric the only players injured at the moment. The latter is ruled out for the remainder of the season, while midfielder Matteo Guendouzi will be absent through suspension.
Meanwhile, there is a return for midfielder Matias Vecino after he served a ban, while there could be a place for Valentin Castellanos as the fans await his much-anticipated return to action. He may feature on the bench at best, as Baroni is unlikely to use him from the start.
Lazio’s setup will see Vecino and Nicolo Rovella in central midfield, while the experienced Pedro takes a more advanced role. Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni will feature in the wide areas, with Boulaye Dia leading the line for Lazio against Atalanta on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Taveres; Vecino, Rovella; Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni; Dia
Key Stats
- Atalanta are winless in their last six games on home soil in Serie A.
- Atalanta have failed to score in each of their last three home games in Serie A.
- Lazio are winless in their last four games across all competitions.
- Lazio are winless in their last three away league games.
Player to Watch
Ademola Lookman
The attacker has endured a difficult time on and off the pitch with rumours of a fallout with manager Gian Piero Gasperini, as Atalanta enter a pivotal period of their season. There is a growing need to put results on the table for the Bergamo side, who have gone the last two games without scoring.
Lookman still has a big role to play between now and the end of the season irrespective of what transpires of his future afterwards. With Atalanta struggling in front of the goal, the Nigerian international might be one of the best solutions to get through this issue, especially against a fellow top-four rival Lazio as this game could have big consequences.
Prediction
Atalanta 2-1 Lazio
Lazio might be in a slightly better vein of form than their hosts, but they are struggling without a doubt. For Marco Baroni, the clear objective would be to close the gap on Atalanta and push themselves into the top-four race in a big way, although they will find it difficult to take three points away in Bergamo.
Atalanta will be hungry to break a spell where they are struggling for relevance and get back on their renewed objective of finishing in third. With the game played at home, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are expected to take three points here, with the Atalanta attack likely to overcome the challenge posed by Lazio’s defence.
