As Serie A approaches its final weeks, Atalanta and AS Roma face off in a crucial match on Sunday evening. With both teams vying for Champions League qualification, the match promises to be a thrilling encounter as both sides aim to secure their place among Europe’s elite.
Atalanta are riding high coming into the game after punching a ticket to their first ever European final in the club’s history. They’ll face Bayer Leverkusen, who ousted visitors Roma, in the Europa League final later this month.
The encounter is scheduled to kick-off at 20.45 CET at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
Roma
Roma and manager Daniele De Rossi will have to quickly shake-off the disappointment from Thursday’s loss to Bayer Leverkusen as they face a “do or die” clash against La Dea.
Currently level with 60 points in the table, the Giallorossi will be eager for a victory given the hosts have a match in-hand (versus Fiorentina on 2-June)—with De Rossi acknowledging the importance of the fixture.
“We know how important it is for us and for them, they are healthy but perhaps they have played more matches than us,” said De Rossi.
“It will be a match to be spread over the 90 minutes, both sides might be lacking in strength. We prepared the match in 48 hours after an intense match like Leverkusen, but we are confident,”
Adding, “It’s a game that’s vital for both clubs.”
Making the situation more difficult for the capital club are the absences of star-man Paulo Dybala and left back Leonardo Spinazzola due to injury. To replace La Joya, De Rossi is expected turn to starlet Tommaso Baldanzi.
Atalanta
Fresh off their Europa League success, Atalanta shift their focus back to Serie A as they host Roma in what’s expected to be an electric atmosphere at the Gewiss Stadium.
To keep his team fresh, manager Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make a few changes from Thursday’s team that dismantled Marseille. The defence is likely to be led by a trio of Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, and Berat Djimsiti with Marco Carnesecchi in goal.
Elsewhere, Gasperini is faced with a few selection dilemmas, with Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic expected to occupy the midfield, relegating Ederson to the bench. Meanwhile, Teun Koopmeiners will play just behind the attacking pair Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca—Ademola Lookman likely the odd man out.
Predicted Lineups
ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Scamacca, De Ketelaere
Unavailable: Emil Holm, Rafael Toloi, Sead Kolasinac
ROMA (4-3-3): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Smalling, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Baldanzi, Lukaku, El Shaarawy
Unavailable: Paulo Dybala, Leonardo Spinazzola