Sports Mole previews Monday’s Serie A clash between Atalanta BC and Como, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
After their Champions League exploits in midweek, Atalanta BC will host promoted Como on Monday evening, as they resume Serie A duty at Gewiss Stadium.
The Nerazzurri came close to toppling Arsenal last time out, having previously beaten Fiorentina in a five-goal thriller; now, a third straight home game brings the winless Lariani to Bergamo.
Match preview
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A tight and tense tactical battle may have ended goalless between Atalanta and Arsenal on Thursday evening, as both sides kicked off their league-phase campaign, but at the full-time whistle La Dea may have felt more frustration at not taking maximum points.
Marco Carnesecchi made one fine first-half save against the Gunners, but it was his opposite number David Raya‘s spot-kick heroics that grabbed the headlines and twice denied Mateo Retegui what could have been the winner.
Nonetheless, last season’s Europa League winners banked a valuable point on their Champions League return, following hot on the heels of a superb fightback to defeat Fiorentina just a few days earlier.
They twice fought back from behind to beat the Viola 3-2 in Bergamo, with recalled star Ademola Lookman scoring the winner in first-half stoppage time, and moved onto six points from four Serie A matches as a result.
Only last week’s opponents have recorded more shots on target so far, and the Nerazzurri also have the highest Expected Goals total (7.89). A versatile attack has helped in that regard, as Atalanta are renowned for neat passing, but they have actually scored the most headed goals this term (four).
Gian Piero Gasperini‘s team could now win back-to-back matches for the first time this season, as they welcome visitors whom they historically get the better of when on home turf. Atalanta are unbeaten in eight Serie A home matches against Como – albeit it has been quite a while since they last met.
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Before these teams convene in the top flight for the first time in 21 years, Como actually lead the overall head-to-head, with seven wins and five losses across 19 previous Serie A meetings.
Continuing in that vein will surely prove a tough assignment for current boss Cesc Fabregas, who is a relative rookie in coaching terms – particularly in contrast to Gasperini’s vast experience.
Como occupy 19th place in the standings and are still seeking their first win of a season that started with elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Serie B side Sampdoria.
Having been promoted from the second tier last season, the Lariani had to hastily renovate their Stadio Sinigaglia headquarters, so each of their first three league games were played away from home, bringing just one point before last week’s long-awaited return home.
However, they let a two-goal lead slip during the last 20 minutes against Bologna, after an own goal and Patrick Cutrone‘s second-half strike had put them within touching distance of three precious points.
Few would now expect Como to bring anything back from nearby Bergamo, but they will hope to put pressure on Atalanta’s sometimes vulnerable defence.
Atalanta BC Serie A form:
Atalanta BC form (all competitions):
Como Serie A form:
Como form (all competitions):
Team News
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Having invested in developing his squad over the summer, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini may make some changes on Monday, after putting in a big shift against Arsenal and ahead of next weekend’s trip to Bologna.
Either Ademola Lookman or Mateo Retegui could be rested, with Marco Brescianini, Lazar Samardzic and Nicolo Zaniolo all vying for promotion from the bench; summer signings Raoul Bellanova and Odilon Kossounou are candidates to freshen things up on the wing and in defence.
Mario Pasalic – who made his 200th league appearance for the club last week – is also in contention. The ex-Chelsea man is just one goal away from scoring 50 in the Italian top flight, which would take him clear as the most prolific Croatian in Serie A history – he is currently level with Ivan Perisic.
Once again, La Dea will be without long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini (both ACL), plus veteran defender Rafael Toloi (muscular).
Meanwhile, Como are still missing high-profile signing Raphael Varane, while fellow centre-back Alberto Dossena is a major doubt due to a calf strain.
After Cesc Fabregas dropped struggling striker Andrea Belotti last week, it remains to be seen whether ‘Il Gallo’ will be recalled: he has yet to find the net for his new club, following fruitless spells with Roma and Fiorentina.
If not, Nico Paz would support Patrick Cutrone up front, while former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto runs the visitors’ engine room.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; De Ketelaere
Como possible starting lineup:
Audero; Iovine, Kempf, Goldaniga, Moreno; Perrone, Roberto; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Como
Even if Atalanta decide to rotate their squad after a busy start to the season, they have too much quality and top-flight know-how for a Como side that has shown few signs of adapting to the demands of Serie A.
In a third consecutive home game following the renovation of their stadium, La Dea should serenely secure maximum points and build on a fine performance against Arsenal.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
