Preview:Atalanta BC vs Sassuolo – predictions, team news, line-ups

After finally finding victory midweek, Atalanta BC will aim to kick off their Serie A campaign on Sunday, when they host Sassuolo in Bergamo.

Both teams have 13 points on the board so far, but the Nerazzurri are expected to challenge for Europe as their visitors only achieved promotion to the big time in May.

Match Preview

Stuck in mid-table with more than a quarter of the Serie A season behind them, Atalanta lost for the first time in the league last weekend, ending a nine-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

The Bergamaschi were beaten 1-0 by Udinese without registering a shot on target, having recorded seven draws and just two wins on the domestic stage – their fewest wins at this stage in over a decade.

In the meantime, Ivan JuricThe team had won just one of their first three Champions League matches, which piled the pressure on Wednesday night’s clash against Marseille.

In France, they snatched three precious points at death, overcoming Charles De KetelaereMissed penalty to beat their hosts: in the 90th minute, substitute Lazar Samardzic embarked on a solo run before making a mark off the beaten track.

With no time to reflect on this success, Atalanta must now host their final match before the international break – and they are still unbeaten at home.

Precedent definitely suggests that La Dea can sign in style, having won seven straight home games against Sassuolo, scoring at least twice each time.

Indeed, Sassuolo have lost no less than 11 of their last 14 Serie A matches against Atalanta, including both in their 2023-24 relegation season.

Since then, the Emilian club has rebounded strongly under Fabio Grossowho led them to the Serie B title before making a smooth return to the Italian top flight.

Sassuolo are alongside Sunday’s hosts on 13 points – well away from the drop zone – despite losing to previously winless Genoa last time out.

On Monday evening, Grosso’s men were cruelly beaten at home by a goal in stoppage time, after Domenico Berardi‘s goal in the second half seemed to salvage a point.

Nonetheless, the Neroverdi are unbeaten in three away games heading into Lombardy, and they will look to capitalize on any uncertainty surrounding their hosts’ head coach.

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

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Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

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Sassuolo Serie A form:

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Team News

Already facing speculation he could be sacked for the third time in a year, it remains to be seen how Juric will react to an incident with the Atalanta star striker. Ademola Lookman in Marseille.

When the latter was frustrated with his replacement, the La Dea boss pulled the player’s arm and they had to be separated; Even so, Lookman will surely make his 100th Serie A appearance on Sunday.

The hosts’ long list of absences continued to clear up, as captain Roon Marten was back in the starting XI on Wednesday and Daniel Maldini returned to training.

While Juric should have almost his entire squad – with the exception of Mitchel Bakker – Sassuolo is still missing several men.

Cristian Volpato and Philippe Romagna recently joined Daniel Boloca, Laurs Skjellerup and long-term absentee Edoardo Pieragnolo on the sidelines.

Nonetheless, injury-prone winger Berardi is expected to feature, and he will aim to increase his tally of four Serie A goals this season, plus six career goals against Atalanta.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; Samardzic, Lookman; Krstovic

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:

Music; Amp and chronicle, Mussre, Mus, Talhor down, Mapt, Mac, ; Well done, Pubal, Pure.

We say: Oathera BC 1-1 Sansoo

A bigger disappointment awaits Atalanta as the Nerazzurri are still struggling to score goals while their visitors have been quite solid on the road so far.

Always a real threat up front, Sassuolo have mastered the art of upsetting Italy’s top six, allowing them to leave Lombardy with a point.

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