Serie A | Gameweek 16

Dec 14, 2024 at 2pm UK

Sardegna Arena

Cagliarivs.Atalanta

Match preview

With 11 points more than they had at this stage last season, Atalanta have climbed to the top of Serie A, setting a new club record after 15 games.

Napoli's slip last weekend, when the Nerazzurri beat Lombard rivals AC Milan, saw them top the standings at the end of a matchday for only the second time since the top flight was reduced to 20 teams in 2004.

Gian Piero Gasperini's men sit two points clear at the top of a tightly-packed table after goals from prolific partners Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman proved enough to see off Milan in Bergamo.

That success extended their Serie A winning streak to nine games, matching the record set between February and July 2020, but their momentum was then halted by Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Atalanta had gone unbeaten in their opening five league games, leaving them well placed to secure a coveted place in the last eight, but they found themselves trailing to the reigning European champions after 10 minutes and never really looked like pulling away.

De Ketelaere and Lookman both scored again in the 3-2 home defeat, but last season's Europa League winners will have little time to reflect as their quest for a first Scudetto resumes on Saturday.

Last season, Atalanta and Cagliari each won a game, continuing a trend that has existed between the two clubs since 2013. The last time they played to a draw in Serie A was almost 12 years ago, and since then La Dea have held a 10-to-8 advantage.

Cagliari came out on top in the last meeting between the two sides, with a 2-1 home win in April helping the Sardinians stay afloat in the Italian top flight.

Another long relegation battle looms for the Rossoblu this term, as last week's 1-0 defeat to in-form Fiorentina saw them slip to within two points of the relegation zone.

Compared to this time last year, when beloved club legend Claudio Ranieri was in charge, they have actually picked up one more point under current coach Davide Nicola.

Nicola's side are in the midst of a particularly tough run of fixtures, as they face Fiorentina and Atalanta before taking on Juventus in the Coppa Italia next Tuesday with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

Recent Performance

Cagliari Serie A form:LLDDWL

Atalanta BC Serie A form:WWWWWW

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):WWWWWL

Team News

After a few games on the bench, Atalanta's top scorer - and Capocannoniere leader - Mateo Retegui could be back in the La Dea line-up this weekend.

If so, he will be supported by Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman, the latter of whom is closing in on his 50th Serie A goal (49 to date: 32 goals and 17 assists). Since Lookman's debut in August, only Lautaro Martinez has scored more (61).

Gian Piero Gasperini will again be without the services of Gianluca Scamacca and Juan Cuadrado, while Italy defender Giorgio Scalvini is a doubt, but Davide Zappacosta has returned from injury and could feature.

Meanwhile, Cagliari appear to have a clean bill of health with Gianluca Lapadula back in full training after missing last week's trip to Florence.

Atalanta striker Roberto Piccoli, a product of the Bergamo club's Primavera, is likely to lead the home side's attack, although it remains to be seen whether inconsistent winger Zito Luvumbo will be recalled to the starting line-up.

Possible starting lineup

Cagliari possible starting lineup:

Sherri; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello; Adopo, Makoumbou; Zortea, Gaetano, Luvumbo; Piccoli

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui