Coppa Italia | Round of 16

Dec 18, 2024 at 5.30pm UK

Gewiss Stadium

Atalantavs.Cesena

Match preview

Atalanta set a new club record for consecutive wins in Serie A on Saturday, extending their winning streak to double figures thanks to a goal from Nicolo Zaniolo and a series of saves from Marco Carnesecchi.

La Dea, who sit two points clear at the top of the Italian top flight, had suffered a rare setback a few days earlier when they were knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid, but it was business as usual at the weekend.

Still battling for a top-eight finish in the league phase of Europe's premier club competition, Atalanta are at the forefront of an intriguing title race and have set their sights on four trophies this season, following their landmark Europa League triumph last term.

The Bergamasque club will also be taking part in the Supercoppa Italiana next month, but will begin their latest cup campaign with a return to the Coppa Italia for the first time since losing 1-0 to Juventus in May's final.

Always demanding, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has tempered his praise with words of caution as his team attempt to secure the club's first Scudetto, but Atalanta will undoubtedly start as favourites to reach the quarter-finals of the Coppa.

The Bergamaschi have won four of the last five league meetings between the two sides since knocking Cesena out of the Cup in 2009, and they will be hoping to continue that trend on Wednesday.

The winner of the first meeting between the clubs since 2015 will book a home quarter-final against Bologna in February, but Cesena will have to pull off a major upset to send their Emilian rivals to the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.

While Atalanta are only in the competition because of their Champions League commitments, Michele Mignani's men have taken the scenic route to this stage of the Coppa.

After knocking out Padova in the first round, the Bianconeri were handed an away game in the first round, with Cristian Shpendi scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Raffaele Celia's strike then sent Cesena's Serie B rivals Pisa packing in September, and they have since returned to the battle for a top-eight finish in Italy's second tier.

After Saturday's 2-1 win over Cosenza, the Bianconeri are fourth in the standings and on course for a play-off spot, although 12 points separate them from the automatic promotion places.

Recent Performance

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):WWWWLW

Cesena Coppa Italia form:WWW

Cesena form (all competitions):WWDLLW

Team News

With a busy schedule ahead, Atalanta are likely to make a number of changes, with fringe players such as Nicolo Zaniolo and Lazar Samardzic getting rare starts.

Serie A's top scorer Mateo Retegui could be among those rested by Gian Piero Gasperini, although captain Marten de Roon could return after being benched at the weekend.

Giorgio Scalvini is struggling with a muscular problem and Gianluca Scamacca is still recovering from a torn ACL, although Isak Hien's fears of a serious chest injury have been allayed following his return from Cagliari, although he is likely to miss Wednesday's clash after suffering some bruising.

Meanwhile, Cesena suffered a major setback ahead of their trip to Bergamo when top scorer Cristian Shpendi left the pitch in tears during their win over Cosenza, and a sprained ankle could see the Serie B top scorer sidelined for several weeks.

Sydney van Hooijdonk will come off the bench and could be paired with rising star Tommaso Berti, who scored the Bianconeri's crucial second goal on Saturday.

Sierra Leone striker Augustus Kargbo is another contender for a place at the head of a likely 3-4-2-1 formation.

Possible starting lineup

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Patricio; Djimsiti, Toloi, Godfrey; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic, Brescianini; Zaniolo

Cesena possible starting lineup:

Pisseri; Curto, Prestia, Mangraviti; Ceesay, Calo, Bastoni, Donnarumma; Berti, Antonucci; Van Hooijdonk