As Serie A enters its final week, Atalanta and AS Roma face off in a crucial match on Sunday evening. With both teams competing 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 heading into the game after having qualified for the first European final in the club’s history. They will face Bayer Leverkusen, who ousted visitors Roma, in the Europa League final later this month.
The encounter is scheduled to start at 20:45 (CET) at the Gebis Stadium in Bergamo.
Rome
Roma and coach Daniele De Rossi will have to quickly shake off the disappointment of Thursday’s defeat to Bayer Leverkusen as they face a “do-or-die” showdown with La Dea.
The Giallorossi, who currently have 60 points, will be desperate for a win considering the hosts have a game in hand (against Fiorentina on June 2). De Rossi acknowledged the importance of the match.
“We know how important it is for us, they are healthy but they have probably played more games than us,” De Rossi said.
“It will be a 90-minute match so both sides may be short of energy. “We prepared for the game in 48 hours after a fierce match like Leverkusen, but we are confident,” he said.
He added, “This is a necessary game for both clubs.”
Making things even more difficult for the capital club is the absence of star man Paulo Dybala and left-back Leonardo Spinazzola through injury. De Rossi is expected to turn to rookie Tommaso Baldanzi to replace La Joya.
atalanta
Following success in the Europa League, Atalanta turn their focus back to Serie A as they take on Roma in what is expected to be an electric atmosphere at the Gewis Stadium.
To keep his team fresh, coach Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to make several changes from the team that dismantled Marseille on Thursday. The defense is led by the trio of Giorgio Scalvini, Isaac Hien, and Berat Zimsiti, and Marco Carnesecki is likely to score a goal.
Elsewhere, Gasperini faces several selection dilemmas. Maarten de Rune and Mario Pasalic are expected to occupy the midfield, relegating Ederson to the bench. Meanwhile, Teun Koopmeiners will play just behind forwards Charles De Ketelaere and Gianluca Scamacca. Ademola Lookman may be a strange person.
Expected Lineup
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): carneseki; Scalvini, Hienne, Dimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Coupminus; Scamaca, de Ketelaere
Unavailable: Emil Holm, Rafael Toloi, Sead Kolasinac.
Rome (4-3-3): Svila; Selig, Mancini, Smalling, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Pellegrini; Baldanza, Lukaku, El Shaarawy
Unavailable: Paulo Dybala, Leonardo Spinazzola
