Atalanta’s dream of winning the Scudetto may have been definitively dashed in the direct clash two weeks ago against Inter, who once again confirmed their status as the Bergamo-based team’s “bête noire”. In the match that could have allowed the Dea to fly to the top with only two months left in the tournament, it was the Milanese Nerazzurri who came out on top, winning 2-0 at the Gewiss Stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini – according to the latest rumors, one of the candidates to coach Roma next season – was defeated once again by his colleague Simone Inzaghi, who is still unbeaten against him (7 wins and 2 draws in previous matches).
There are now 6 points separating third-placed Atalanta from league leaders Inter. To try and close the gap, de Roon and his teammates will have to improve their home form. In fact, Atalanta haven’t won in front of their own fans since December, at least as far as the league is concerned.
It’s a different story away from home. In the last three away games they’ve won big, scoring 14 goals in total between Verona, Empoli and Juventus and not conceding a single one. Fiorentina will have to be careful in what is undoubtedly the highlight of the day, together with the “Maradona” match between Napoli and Milan. However, after the umpteenth tactical revolution, Raffaele Palladino seems to have found the right formula again, dispelling rumors of his dismissal. Before the break, Fiorentina won two important matches, advancing in the Conference League (comeback against Panathinaikos) and overwhelming Thiago Motta’s Juventus, who collapsed 3-0 in Florence in one of the most anticipated matches for the “lilies” fans. The win against the Bianconeri was also good for the standings, with Fiorentina remaining in eighth place but still part of the large group of teams fighting for a place in the top European leagues.
Fiorentina-Atalanta: the latest news on the lineups
Palladino seems set to confirm the same eleven as in the match against Juventus. Pablo Marì will be the central defender between Ranieri and Pongracic, Fagioli and Mandragora will play in the middle alongside Cataldi and in attack the pair Gudmundsson and Kean, the latter fresh from the amazing brace scored against Germany with the national team shirt. Everyone is available after the break, with the exception of Colpani.
On the other hand, Gasperini surprisingly recalls Retegui: the Italian-Argentinian center forward, who couldn’t take part in the Azzurri’s national team commitments, is among the players called up and according to the latest news he could even play as a starter. On the right wing Bellanova should beat Ruggeri.
Odds comparison
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The prediction
Both teams have heavy points at stake, and neither is yet completely out of their respective races (Europa League and Scudetto). Retegui’s absence is a significant one for the Goddess, but Gasperini still has several weapons that can hurt Fiorentina, who are at the same time more solid and balanced after switching to a back three. The feeling is that, as in the first leg – which Atalanta won 3-2 – there will be an up-and-down rollercoaster of emotions, as has always happened in the last three league matches between the two teams, in which there have never been fewer than 5 goals scored.
The probable line-ups for Fiorentina-Atalanta
FIORENTINA (3-5-2): De Gea; Pongracic, Pablo Marì, Ranieri; Dodò, Mandragora, Cataldi, Fagioli, Gosens; Gudmundsson, Kean.
ATALANTA (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, de Roon, Zappacosta; Brescianini, Lookman, Retegui.