Bournemouth-Atalanta is a friendly and will be played on Saturday at 16:00: news, formations, predictions, live TV and streaming
Gianero Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta begin to smell the scent of Europe as they travel to Bournemouth in England, their first international friendly since their outings against Locarno and Pro Vercelli. The Dea side, who after a season without cups will return to play in the Europa League this year, will visit the Cherries, coached by Basque Andoni Iraola, fresh from a positive experience on the bench of Rayo Vallecano, in the Spanish La Liga.
Despite a troubled year, the Rossoneri managed to stay in the Premier League and did so by saving themselves with a few days to spare. The club, however, decided not to confirm the coach of salvation, Gary O’Neal, choosing to restart with a coach who did very well at the helm of Madrid’s third team. The objective, also this time, is to maintain the category. In order to do so, the owners have bought Traoré back from Sassuolo and have also acquired three important players, Kerkez, Faivre and Kluivert, who have arrived from Az Alkmaar, Lyon and Roma respectively. Three friendlies have been played so far by Bournemouth, who beat Hibernian and Southampton (4-0 and 3-2) and were defeated by Maccabi Tel Aviv, a team that is further along in their preparation than the English.
It will therefore be the first important test for Gasperini’s men, who scored a total of 16 goals in their two friendlies against Locarno and Pro Vercelli, without conceding any.
Moore
Atalanta are also very active in the market: after having taken Bakker from Bayer Leverkusen, Kolasinac from Marseille and Adopo from Torino, they have closed El Bilal Touré, a former Almeria striker who can also play as an outside player. During the week he sold Boga to Nice, but the rumours about Hojlund, in Manchester United’s sights, have not died down. The other test that will see the Nerazzurri play is the one against Union Berlin on 5 August. Then all they will think about is the championship: the Dea will debut on 26th August in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo.
The Prediction
Atalanta have looked in fine form in their first two outings and should be able to avoid defeat against a Bournemouth side who have some extra minutes in their legs. There will be no boredom at the Vitality Stadium: expect at least four goals in total.
Bournemouth v Atalanta likely line-up
- BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Kerkez; Cook, Kilkenny; Ouattara, Christie, Traoré; Solanke.
- ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Okoli, Kolasinac; Maehle, de Roon, Koopmeiners, Ruggeri; Pasalic; Lookman, Cambiaghi.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-2
