In an exciting clash set for Saturday night in Serie A, Atalanta BC will host Cagliari, both teams looking to capitalize on their recent victories. Atalanta enjoyed a spectacular midweek victory over world champions Chelsea, while Cagliari finally broke their winless streak by claiming a surprising win against Roma.
Despite a challenging start to the Serie A season, Atalanta remains in contention for a top-eight finish, which would secure them a spot directly in the Champions League knockout stages. Their recent 3-1 loss to Hellas Verona, a team that had previously struggled to find form, kept Atalanta mired in the lower half of the league standings. Following a coaching change, the team has registered only one win in their last ten league games, reflecting their struggles in both goal scoring and securing points.
New manager Raffaele Palladino is eager to build on the momentum from their European win. However, a victory against Cagliari would mark their first consecutive league wins at home this year—a goal Palladino is keen to accomplish.
Historically, Cagliari has faced difficulties against Atalanta, managing to earn just one point in their previous meetings last season, during which they failed to score. Nonetheless, Cagliari’s recent performance, highlighted by a 1-0 win over Roma courtesy of a late goal from Gianluca Gaetano, has revitalized hopes for the team. This victory ended a nine-match winless streak and boosted morale significantly.
Cagliari must tread carefully as they still need to establish a stronger buffer from the relegation zone. Over the past season, they have only managed to secure back-to-back victories on one occasion, and they will be looking to take advantage of any further missteps by Atalanta.
In terms of team news, Atalanta is set to be without Kamaldeen Sulemana and Mitchel Bakker due to injuries, but the rest of the squad is expected to be available. Ademola Lookman will play one last game before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, likely joining De Ketelaere and Scamacca in a strong attacking lineup. Palladino may consider making adjustments after their intense match against Chelsea, with players such as Isak Hien and Davide Zappacosta vying for a starting position.
Cagliari, on the other hand, will be missing long-term absentees Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, along with defenders Ze Pedro and Yerry Mina. Coach Fabio Pisacane is inclined to stick with the winning lineup from the Roma match, which has proven effective recently.
As both teams gear up for this important match, the stakes are high. Atalanta, buoyed by their European exploits, will aim to revitalize their domestic campaign, while Cagliari seeks to build on their newfound momentum. With predictions leaning towards a narrow 2-1 victory for Atalanta, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter under the lights.
