ROMA – ATALANTA | Sunday 6pm
The seventh day of Serie A closes with a bang: just a few hours after the big match at San Siro between AC Milan and Napoli, Roma and Atalanta will play in the capital, another juicy clash between two teams separated by just one point and occupying fifth and second place respectively in the standings. It is inevitably an important test, which both teams need to understand what ambitions they can cultivate in this championship. The Giallorossi seem to have archived the negative moment, characterised by the blow in Udine (4-0) and the defeat in the Europa League against Ludogorets. Last Monday the Giallorossi came out on top against Empoli (1-2) and secured their first cup win against lowly Finnish side Hjk, who were overwhelmed 3-0.
José Mourinho, however, demanded more from his men and went in search of answers in the second big match of the season after the 1-1 draw with Juventus in Turin. Still unbeaten, Atalanta instead will try to restart with the aim of putting behind them the internal stop in the regional derby against Cremonese, who were able to retake the Dea in the second half of the second half (1-1). First draw for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men after three consecutive victories against Verona, Torino and Monza. The Orobici will have to avoid squandering too many points with the ‘small’ teams if they don’t want to repeat last year’s anonymous season. Atalanta, however, continue to have a tendency to collect more points away than in front of their own public: away from the Gewiss Stadium, in fact, the Nerazzurri have always won so far. The attack, lacking reference points due to the physical problems of Muriel and Zapata, has not yet fully switched on.
Roma v Atalanta: latest line-up news
Mourinho has found Zaniolo, who has quickly recovered from a shoulder problem and started from 1′ in the Europa League. Against Atalanta he will probably start from the bench: the Portuguese coach will re-propose the Pellegrini-Dybala pair in the three-quarter, behind the English centre forward Abraham. On the flanks, Karsdorp and Spinazzola will be confirmed, although the Dutchman will be threatened by Celik. In the infirmary Zalewski, Kumbulla, El Shaarawy and Wijnaldum.
Gasperini, on the other hand, is pondering a switch to a four-man defence. Hateboer and Soppy on the outside lanes, with de Roon and Koopmeiners in the middle. In front, behind one of Muriel and the young Dane Hojlund, Lookman, Ederson and Malinovskyi should play. Boga is in doubt, while Djimsiti, Zappacosta and Zapata are out.
The prediction
Last year Roma were synonymous with defeat for Atalanta, beaten in both the first leg and the return. This time Dea are off to a strong start, they have not lost in six matches, and in the match at the Stadio Olimpico they have what it takes to put the Giallorossi, who could suffer the double commitment, in a difficult position. In short, it will be a very balanced match, in which the team coached by José Mourinho will probably avoid defeat, taking advantage of the support of their fans. Both sides are expected to score at least one goal each.
Roma v Atalanta likely line-up
- ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Matic, Cristante, Spinazzola; Dybala, Pellegrini; Abraham.
- ATALANTA (4-2-3-1): Musso; Hateboer, Toloi, Demiral, Soppy; de Roon, Koopmeiners; Lookman, Ederson, Malinovskyi; Muriel.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
