Atalanta will face AS Roma in what should be an end to end encounter on Saturday night.
Saturday night in Bergamo carries more than just three points at stake. It marks a symbolic homecoming for Gian Piero Gasperini, the architect of Atalanta’s modern rise, now returning as AS Roma’s head coach in a fixture heavy with narrative, rivalry, and European implications.
Few managers are as closely tied to a club’s identity as Gasperini is to Atalanta. Across nine transformative seasons, he reshaped La Dea into a consistent European force, highlighted by their Europa League triumph in 2024. Now, less than a year after departing, he returns wearing different colours, and with a very different mission. Roma are firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish, and every point matters as the Serie A table tightens.
Despite a brief wobble before the winter break, AS Roma have regained momentum. A dominant midweek victory over Genoa, sealed by goals from Matias Soule, Manu Kone and Evan Ferguson, lifted confidence and kept them within touching distance of the league’s summit. Defensively, they remain the benchmark: only 11 goals conceded across 17 league matches, the best record in Serie A. That solidity has underpinned their consistency, with Roma also leading the division for clean sheets across the calendar year.
Yet Bergamo has rarely been a friendly destination for the Giallorossi. Roma have lost on each of their last three visits to the Gewiss Stadium and have managed just one win in their last seven league meetings with Atalanta. The hosts, meanwhile, have won five of the last six Serie A clashes between the sides and could make it four straight top-flight victories over AS Roma for the first time in their history.
Atalanta themselves are navigating a period of transition. The post-Gasperini era began turbulently, with Ivan Juric unable to steady the ship before Raffaele Palladino stepped in. While results have fluctuated, there have been encouraging signs. A statement victory over Chelsea in Europe and a strong run of home form, four consecutive wins before facing Inter, suggested renewed stability. However, defeat to Inter in their final outing of 2025 underlined lingering inconsistencies.
Once genuine Scudetto contenders, La Dea ended the year with their lowest win percentage since 2016, highlighting the scale of the rebuild ahead. Their struggles against elite opposition are particularly telling: only four points from seven matches against top-half teams this season, with just four goals scored in those fixtures.
Still, with the Gewiss Stadium traditionally a difficult venue and Roma historically vulnerable here, Atalanta will sense opportunity. For Gasperini, the return carries emotional weight, but sentiment will quickly give way to pragmatism as both sides chase momentum in a fiercely competitive top-four race. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Atalanta BC
Atalanta approach this fixture with a few notable absences that continue to shape Raffaele Palladino’s selection decisions. The most significant loss remains Ademola Lookman, who is currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria. His pace and directness have been a major outlet in transition this season, and his absence removes a key threat on the left flank. Fellow AFCON participant Odilon Kossounou is also unavailable, further limiting options at the back.
Wing-back Raoul Bellanova remains sidelined through injury, while Mitchel Bakker continues his long-term recovery and is not expected to feature. There is also a question mark over Davide Zappacosta, who is nursing a flexor issue and may not be risked against his former club unless fully fit.
With Lookman unavailable, greater responsibility falls on Gianluca Scamacca, who is expected to lead the line. However, the Italian striker has historically struggled against Roma, failing to score in 252 Serie A minutes against his boyhood club, his poorest record against any opponent. Despite that, his physical presence and ability to link play remain central to Atalanta’s attacking structure.
Tactically, Palladino is likely to persist with a 3-4-2-1 system, prioritising compactness and vertical transitions. Marco Carnesecchi should start in goal behind a back three consisting of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac, offering a blend of aerial strength and physical duelling. With Bellanova unavailable, Nicola Zalewski is expected to operate as the right wing-back, while Lorenzo Bernasconi provides balance on the opposite flank.
In midfield, Marten de Roon and Ederson will anchor proceedings, tasked with shielding the defence while initiating forward progression. Ahead of them, Charles De Ketelaere and Mario Pasalic are likely to operate in advanced half-spaces, supporting Scamacca and looking to exploit pockets between Roma’s defensive lines.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zalewski, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Pasalic; Scamacca
AS Roma
Roma arrive in Bergamo with a mixed squad situation, as Gian Piero Gasperini continues to juggle availability issues across several key areas. Midfield remains the most affected zone, with Neil El Aynaoui still absent due to international duty with Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations.
In defence, Evan Ndicka is also away representing Ivory Coast, depriving Roma of one of their most consistent centre-backs this season. Meanwhile, club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini remains sidelined after failing to recover from a lingering hamstring injury, ruling him out of yet another fixture. There is, however, more encouraging news in attack.
Artem Dovbyk has resumed full training following a thigh issue and is available for selection, although his match sharpness remains in question. Evan Ferguson and Paulo Dybala have both dealt with recent fitness concerns as well, leaving Gasperini with decisions to make regarding his forward line. Dybala’s creativity and composure remain vital in high-pressure matches, but his workload continues to be carefully managed.
At the back, Roma’s most reliable figure continues to be Mile Svilar, who has been exceptional throughout 2025. The Serbian international currently leads Europe’s top five leagues for both clean sheets and save percentage this calendar year, underlining his importance to Roma’s defensive resilience.
Tactically, Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, mirroring Atalanta’s structure and aiming to control central zones. Mile Svilar will start in goal, protected by a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Jan Ziolkowski, and Mario Hermoso, offering a blend of physicality and composure in buildup. On the flanks, Zeki Celik and Wesley are expected to operate as wing-backs, tasked with balancing defensive discipline and forward support.
In midfield, Manu Kone should pair up with Bryan Cristante, whose familiarity with Atalanta adds an intriguing subplot to the contest. The duo will be responsible for disrupting transitions and feeding the advanced midfielders. Ahead of them, Matias Soule and Paulo Dybala are expected to operate in the half-spaces, drifting between lines to create overloads and unlock Atalanta’s defensive shape. Leading the line, Evan Ferguson is likely to start as the central striker, providing physical presence and link-up play.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ziolkowski, Hermoso; Celik, Kone, Cristante, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Ferguson
Key Stats
- Atalanta have collected just four points from seven matches against top-half teams this season, scoring only four goals in those fixtures, the lowest return among Serie A’s top-half contenders.
- AS Roma boast the best defensive record in Serie A, conceding only 11 goals in 17 league matches, with no team across Europe’s top five leagues keeping more clean sheets in 2025 than the Giallorossi.
- Atalanta have won five of their last six Serie A meetings with AS Roma, including each of the last three.
- AS Roma have lost their last three visits to Bergamo, failing to score more than once in any of those defeats.
- Mile Svilar leads all goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues for save percentage in 2025.
Player to Watch
Gianluca Scamacca
Few players in this fixture carry as much narrative weight as Gianluca Scamacca. Facing his former club, the Atalanta striker will be eager to make a statement, especially given his mixed fortunes against AS Roma in the past. Despite logging over 250 Serie A minutes against the Giallorossi, Scamacca has yet to find the net, a statistic he will be keen to erase under the lights in Bergamo.
Physically dominant and technically refined, Scamacca offers Atalanta a focal point capable of unsettling Roma’s back three. His ability to pin defenders, bring midfield runners into play, and attack aerial deliveries makes him central to Raffaele Palladino’s attacking structure, particularly with Ademola Lookman absent. Much of Atalanta’s forward thrust will depend on how effectively Scamacca can occupy space between Gianluca Mancini and his defensive partners.
Beyond goals, his off-the-ball work is equally significant. Scamacca’s pressing from the front sets the tone for Atalanta’s high-energy approach, often forcing hurried clearances and second-ball situations that allow midfielders like De Roon and Ederson to step in aggressively.
With Roma boasting one of the league’s tightest defensive units, this fixture presents Scamacca with both a challenge and an opportunity. A strong performance, even without scoring, could prove decisive in tilting the balance in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
Prediction
Atalanta BC 1-1 AS Roma
This contest has all the ingredients of a tight, tactical battle. Atalanta’s home form and familiarity with high-intensity fixtures give them a platform, but Roma arrive with greater defensive stability and a clearer sense of structure under Gian Piero Gasperini. The visitors’ ability to absorb pressure and strike through transitions could prove decisive, especially against an Atalanta side that has struggled to impose itself against top-half opponents this season.
While Atalanta’s physicality and home support should keep the game competitive, Roma’s organisation, game management, and efficiency in key moments may ultimately tip the balance. Expect a measured encounter rather than an open one, with few clear-cut chances and fine margins deciding the outcome.
