Atalanta will hope to end their losing streak when they face Bologna at home on Sunday.
Two of Serie A’s surprise top-four challengers face off in Bergamo this Sunday, as Atalanta BC host Bologna FC 1909 in a clash with serious implications for European qualification. Separated by just a single point in the standings, both clubs arrive with drastically contrasting momentum, and by the final whistle, the picture at the top could shift dramatically.
What once looked like another classic late-season surge under Gian Piero Gasperini has turned into a full-blown crisis. Atalanta have now lost three straight Serie A matches without scoring a single goal, including a deflating 2-0 home defeat to Lazio last weekend. Despite dominating possession, La Dea mustered just two shots on target, exposing a severe creative drought at the worst possible time.
Gasperini, now in his eighth season at the helm, is facing growing questions about his future as the Bergamo outfit slip further away from the top four. The numbers are damning: Atalanta have not won a single home game in 2025, collecting just four points at the Gewiss Stadium all year. Even more worryingly, they are at risk of failing to score in five consecutive home matches for the first time in their Serie A history.
While Atalanta still possess the second-best attack in the league on paper, that firepower has dried up, and the pressure is mounting with Bologna, Juventus, Roma, Lazio, and Fiorentina all in close pursuit. With a tough run-in ahead, this match feels like a must-win, especially given their dismal recent record against Sunday’s visitors.
Under Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna have transformed from mid-table regulars to one of the most exciting teams in Italy. While their six-match winning streak was halted by a 1-1 draw against Napoli last Monday, they showed their resilience by battling back from a goal down, thanks to an intelligent equaliser from in-form winger Dan Ndoye.
Ndoye has been on a tear in recent weeks, directly contributing to six goals in his last five league appearances (five goals, one assist), more than any other Serie A player during that span. His resurgence has coincided with Bologna’s sharp rise up the table, and a genuine threat to Atalanta’s top-four status.
Historically poor travellers to Bergamo, Bologna have flipped the script of late. They’ve won on their last three visits to the Gewiss Stadium, including a 1-0 victory in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals just two months ago. Prior to that, they had managed just two wins in 38 attempts away to Atalanta in Serie A, a remarkable turnaround that highlights their upward trajectory.
The Rossoblu now possess the fourth-most prolific attack in the division, and this is their best goal-scoring return at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1966, the year they finished second in Italy. With one foot in the Coppa Italia final and form on their side, Bologna look ready to take the next step in their renaissance. 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’s injury woes continue to mount at the worst possible moment in their season. The club has been dealt a fresh setback with Charles De Ketelaere ruled out for at least two weeks due to a thigh injury, ruling him out of the pivotal double-header against Bologna and AC Milan. Although the Belgian playmaker has not registered a goal contribution in his last 14 Serie A appearances, his absence still narrows Gian Piero Gasperini’s already-limited attacking options.
Elsewhere, attacking duo Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui, once in the race for the Capocannoniere, have also suffered a dip in form, further complicating Atalanta’s issues in the final third. The long-term absences of Gianluca Scamacca, Odilon Kossounou, and Giorgio Scalvini continue, while defensive stalwarts Rafael Toloi and Stefan Posch are also unavailable due to ongoing fitness concerns.
With no fresh suspensions reported, Gasperini is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation. Marco Carnesecchi will start in goal behind a back three comprising Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac. The trio will be tasked with keeping Bologna’s in-form forward line in check.
In midfield, Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta are expected to operate as wing-backs, offering width and supporting transitions, while Marten de Roon and Ederson form the central double pivot, providing both defensive cover and distribution from deep.
With De Ketelaere unavailable, Lazar Samardzic is likely to be handed a creative role in the attacking midfield line, working in tandem with Ademola Lookman, who will look to rediscover his early-season spark. Leading the line up front will be Mateo Retegui, who, despite a recent goal drought, remains a physical and aerial threat capable of troubling Bologna’s backline.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Samardzic, Lookman; Retegui
Bologna FC 1909
Vincenzo Italiano will be relatively content with the shape of his squad heading into this pivotal clash in Bergamo, though a few key absences will require adjustment. Lewis Ferguson, one of Bologna’s most influential midfielders, is sidelined with an injury picked up on Monday and is expected to miss the remainder of the month. In addition, first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski is also unavailable due to injury, handing a starting opportunity to backup keeper Federico Ravaglia.
There are further concerns in defence, with Davide Calabria still nursing an ankle sprain and unlikely to feature. Despite these setbacks, Italiano is spoilt for choice in the final third, with several attackers in fine form. Dan Ndoye has been involved in 11 league goals this season, while top scorer Riccardo Orsolini has netted 13 times across all competitions. Both are expected to play key roles once again, as Bologna aim to leapfrog Atalanta in the standings.
Bologna are expected to continue in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Federico Ravaglia will start in goal in place of the injured Skorupski. In defence, Emil Holm will occupy the right-back role, while Sam Beukema and Jhon Lucumí form the central defensive pairing. On the left, Juan Miranda is set to return to the starting XI.
In central midfield, Remo Freuler and Michel Aebischer will form the double pivot, bringing a mix of experience, composure, and pressing energy. Ahead of them, the attacking midfield trio will feature Riccardo Orsolini on the right, Jens Odgaard in the central playmaker role, and Dan Ndoye on the left, each capable of stretching Atalanta’s defence and creating chances in transition.
Up front, Santiago Castro is expected to start as the centre-forward, though he will face competition from Thijs Dallinga. Castro’s physical presence and movement in the box may give him the edge as Bologna look to exploit Atalanta’s recent defensive vulnerabilities.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ravazglia; Holm, Beukema, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Aebischer; Orsolini, Odgaard, Ndoye; Castro
Key Stats
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Bologna are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Atalanta (W3, D1), a dramatic turnaround after losing 13 of the previous 17 meetings. They could go unbeaten in five straight against La Dea for only the second time in their history, with the last such run dating back to the 1950s.
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Atalanta have lost their last two Serie A matches against Bologna in the second half of the season, ending a dominant run of eight consecutive wins (six with clean sheets). They have only ever lost three in a row in the second half of a campaign against Bologna once—between 1951 and 1957.
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Bologna have won each of their last two away games against Atalanta in Serie A, matching their total number of away wins in Bergamo from the previous 38 attempts. A third straight win in Bergamo would be a historic first.
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Atalanta have lost three consecutive league matches without scoring, a first under Gian Piero Gasperini. The last time they lost four straight in Serie A was in the 2015/16 season under Edoardo Reja, and they have not endured a four-match goalless streak since 2014 under Stefano Colantuono.
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Atalanta are the only top-half Serie A team yet to win a home match in 2025 (D4 L3). They have scored just two goals at home this year and are in danger of going five straight home games without scoring in Serie A for the first time in club history.
Player to Watch
Ademola Lookman
As Atalanta search desperately for goals and a way out of their attacking slump, Ademola Lookman remains the man most likely to spark a turnaround. The Nigerian international has been one of the most dynamic and dangerous players in Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad over the past two seasons, and despite his recent dry spell, he retains the tools to change the game in an instant.
Lookman’s combination of pace, close control, and quick decision-making in the final third makes him a constant threat to defenders, particularly in 1v1 situations. His ability to cut inside onto his stronger foot and deliver precise strikes or key passes could prove crucial against a well-drilled Bologna defence.
Though he has not found the net in recent weeks, the pressure of this high-stakes top-four clash might bring the best out of him. With Charles De Ketelaere injured and Mateo Retegui struggling for rhythm, Atalanta need Lookman to step forward and deliver.
At a time when goals are hard to come by in Bergamo, Ademola Lookman will be looked upon as the creative spark and the player capable of snapping Atalanta’s historic goalless run at home. If he rediscovers his form, La Dea could yet revive their Champions League hopes.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 1-2 Bologna FC 1909
One team is climbing, the other is spiralling. Atalanta’s home form, lack of goals, and fading confidence contrast sharply with Bologna’s fearlessness and attacking cohesion. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are too experienced to be written off, but unless something changes dramatically, it is hard to see them halting Bologna’s momentum. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 work the homewod
