Three consecutive defeats against Inter, Fiorentina, and Lazio not only dashed Atalanta’s Scudetto dreams but also left the team tired, drained, and almost depressed due to rumors about the imminent departure of their leader Gian Piero Gasperini, who after almost a decade could leave Bergamo and end a (perhaps) unrepeatable cycle. None of that happened: La Dea rolled up its sleeves and won its last two games against Bologna (2-0) and Milan (0-1), consolidating its third place in the standings and kicking the crisis into touch.
A breath of fresh air for a team that had failed to score in three consecutive defeats and rediscovered its fragility in defense. Now Gasperini will try to take advantage of a schedule that is tending to “soften”—the only big team standing in Dea’s way is Roma—and will make sure to win as many games as possible to secure a place in next year’s Champions League. It starts with a match against Lecce, who are in dire straits, haven’t won since January, and are in serious danger of finding themselves in the relegation zone at the end of this matchday, after a first half of the season in which they gave the impression that they could save themselves without too much trouble. Marco Giampaolo’s men – confirmed despite the difficult period – were overwhelmed by Como (0-3) last Saturday and failed to gain any points on the third-bottom teams, Venezia and Empoli, who have actually closed the gap: now the relegation zone is only one point away and the specter of Serie B has suddenly reappeared.
Atalanta-Lecce: the latest news on the lineups
Atalanta’s infirmary is still crowded: Posch, Djimsiti, Scamacca, Scalvini, and Kolasinac are unavailable. Toloi, Hien, and Kossounou will play in defense, while Zappacosta and Bellanova are expected to start on the wings, with Ruggeri waiting on the bench. De Ketelaere, Lookman, and Retegui will start up front.
Giampaolo will be without Berisha and Krstovic in Bergamo, both of whom are suspended. These are two significant absences for the Giallorossi coach, who could turn to former Milan player Rebic in attack, supported by Pierotti, Helgason, and Tete Morente. Danilo Veiga will start at right-back.
Odds comparison
The “No Goals” bet is priced at 1.68 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.70 on Snai. The “Under 3.5” bet is priced at 1.50 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.
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Prediction
Lecce has always been beaten by Atalanta in the last three matches, including the heavy 0-4 defeat last August. The Salento side are going through a very difficult period – they have won only three times since December – and are unlikely to come away unscathed from their trip to Bergamo against a Dea side that seems to have resolved the problems that had plagued them in recent times. It is also unlikely that the ‘No Goal’ trend, which has characterized the last 10 games played by the Bergamo side in Serie A, will be broken.
Probable line-ups for Atalanta-Lecce
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Hien, Kossounou; Bellanova, de Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui.
LECCE (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Danilo Veiga, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Helgason, Tete Morente; Rebic.