Still in danger of letting a top-four finish slip from their grasp, Atalanta BC will aim to claim maximum points from Sunday's clash with rock-bottom Monza.
Another slip-up last week leaves La Dea with work to do in Serie A's tight Champions League race; meanwhile, Monza are set to have relegation confirmed.
Match preview
© Imago
Having seen any slim Scudetto hopes slide away in early April, Atalanta were fully focused on consolidating third place when they welcomed lowly Lecce to Bergamo last Sunday.
In a game postponed by two days following the death of Lecce's club doctor, the Salentini took a shock lead into the second half, but Mateo Retegui's spot kick then spared La Dea's blushes.
On course to be crowned Capocannoniere later this month, the Italy striker has now scored 24 top-flight goals this season, equalling Pippo Inzaghi's 1996-97 club record. With four games to go, he can now try to break it.
While Retegui and co have sometimes struggled to deliver on home turf - also failing to beat Cagliari and Venezia at the Gewiss Stadium of late - they have won five of their last six Serie A away games before making the short trip to Monza.
Along the way, the Bergamaschi have racked up goals at a rate of 2.8 per game, conceding just two; indeed, only Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool have accrued more away points across Europe's top five leagues this season.
With a tally of 65 points overall - their third-best total at this late stage of a campaign - and boasting their best defensive record since 1965, Gian Piero Gasperini's claims that the season has been successful still ring true.
In five previous Serie A meetings with Monza, Atalanta have a 100% record. So, being pursued by Juventus, Bologna and both Rome clubs in the top-four race, another away win will be their sole target on Sunday.
© Imago
After losing October's reverse fixture 2-0, Monza's aggregate deficit to their Lombardy rivals since joining Serie A stands at 14-3.
Following three years among Italy's elite, the Brianzoli seem to be going down with a whimper; and if results go against them on Saturday, they will already have their inevitable fate formally sealed before kick off.
Monza have failed to even score in their last three matches, after last week's 2-0 loss to 10-man Juventus, and they are one loss away from posting six consecutive defeats for the first time in their brief top-flight history.
Alessandro Nesta's side have earned a meagre 15 points so far this season, and only two teams have collected fewer after 34 Serie A games this century. Now 12 points adrift of safety, Nesta's mid-term return has not ended a win drought that dates back to January, so plans for a summer rebuild are already under way.
This weekend, the Biancorossi's sieve-like defence must be wary of a specific weakness, as only Inter Milan have scored more headed goals than Atalanta (12), while Monza have conceded the most headers (18) across Europe's top five leagues.
Team News
© Imago
Continuing their recovery from a brief injury crisis in defence, Atalanta may be able to call upon Stefan Posch this weekend, leaving only three long-term absentees on the sidelines.
Alongside stricken striker Gianluca Scamacca, defensive duo Sead Kolasinac and Giorgio Scalvini will not return until next season.
After overcoming a thigh problem to start against Lecce, Mateo Retegui should lead La Dea's attack, aiming to end his barren run versus Monza: he has played 269 minutes without scoring a league goal against the Brianzoli so far.
Meanwhile, Portuguese forward Dany Mota has made the most Monza appearances (92), scored the most goals (14) and recorded the most goal involvements (20) since they ascended to Serie A - but he has been stuck on five strikes for most of this season.
Elsewhere, either Tomas Palacios or Stefan Lekovic is set to step into the hosts' defence, replacing suspended centre-back Andrea Carboni.
Kevin Zeroli, Keita Balde, Silvere Ganvoula, Danilo D'Ambrosio and Armando Izzo - plus ex-Atalanta midfielders Matteo Pessina and Roberto Gagliardini - are all ruled out by injury.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Turati; Pereira, Caldirola, Palacios; Birindelli, Castrovilli, Bianco, Akpa Akpro, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Caprari
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Lookman; Retegui
We say: Monza 0-2 Atalanta BC
Even short of their once-brilliant best, Atalanta should add to Monza's endless woes by picking up three valuable points in the hunt for Champions League qualification.
Not only do the visitors boast some formidable away form, but their relegation-bound hosts have Serie A's worst home record.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
