Aiming to revive their Serie A title challenge after four league games without a win, Atalanta BC will visit nearby Como on Saturday.
The Bergamaschi strolled to victory in the Champions League last time out, but they have recently slipped down the domestic standings; meanwhile, their hosts are slowly climbing the table.
Match preview
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After a run of 11 consecutive Serie A successes, Atalanta have failed to win any of their last four, knocking them off top spot and down to third, behind Inter Milan and Napoli.
The latter triumphed in an eventful five-goal contest last weekend, when Mateo Retegui emphatically put the hosts in front before they conceded twice ahead of half time. Ademola Lookman later hauled La Dea level, but Romelu Lukaku's strike finally claimed three points for Napoli.
The last time Atalanta went more league games without winning was back in early 2022, so they will be intent on finally posting a first domestic win of 2025 this weekend.
Morale was boosted by a midweek thrashing of Champions League strugglers Sturm Graz, in which Lookman and Retegui were again amongst the scorers, with a 5-0 win shifting Gian Piero Gasperini's side into the all-important top eight.
Having guaranteed at least a playoff place, they can wrap up automatic entry to the last 16 next week: though their final league-phase fixture is away to Barcelona, the Catalan club have already qualified and may ease up.
First, though, the Bergamaschi must try to halt their Serie A slump, as they seek revenge for a shock loss to Como in September.
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Amid their initial struggles to adapt to the top flight, Como's most notable result was surely a 3-2 success in Bergamo, and they could now do the Serie A double over Atalanta for just the second time in their history.
In fact, the Lariani have lost only one of nine previous home games against La Dea at Italy's elite level - recording six wins in the process - so history will be on their side this weekend.
Recent league form also suggests that the Lombardy club can upset their Scudetto-chasing visitors, as Como have won three of their last six matches to gradually edge away from the drop zone.
Rising star Nico Paz rounded off the scoring in Monday's 4-1 win over Udinese, after both teams were reduced to 10 men, with recent signing Assane Diao finding the net for the second time in two games.
As a result, Cesc Fabregas and co have now taken nine points from the last 12 available at Stadio Sinigaglia, and in a multi-club fight for survival, such a strong home record could make all the difference.
Fabregas, who has already embedded several new recruits this month, now has last season's Serie B runners-up on track to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
Team News
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After bringing in fringe players such as veteran defender Rafael Toloi and young wing-back Marco Palestra on Tuesday, Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to name his strongest available side this weekend.
However, Atalanta will be missing defensive duo Odilon Kossounou and Isak Hien - the latter through suspension - while Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca is still sidelined.
Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere and Mateo Retegui are favourites to form La Dea's attack; the latter has notched 14 goals in 19 league appearances this season, having returned from injury to score against both Juventus and Napoli.
After welcoming back Nico Paz earlier this week, Cesc Fabregas also has several attacking options to choose from: new boy Assane Diao has hit the ground running, while Patrick Cutrone again vies with Andrea Belotti to lead the line.
Experienced midfielder Sergi Roberto is still struggling with a muscular injury, and Edoardo Goldaniga must serve a one-match ban for his red card against Udinese, but a trio of players are still hopeful of being passed fit.
Full-backs Alberto Moreno and Ignace Van der Brempt both have flexor problems, while long-serving striker Alessandro Gabrielloni has been hampered by a calf issue.
Como possible starting lineup:
Butez; Iovine, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Da Cunha, Caqueret; Diao, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
We say: Como 1-1 Atalanta BC
Atalanta may have to wait longer for their first Serie A win of the year, as Como can boast a fine recent record on home soil, where they have beaten Roma and Udinese.
With half an eye on their Champions League fate, the visitors may be below their brilliant best, dropping more points and further denting their title chances.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
