Serie A | Gameweek 25

Feb 15, 2025 at 2pm UK

Gewiss Stadium

Atalanta vs Cagliari

Match preview

Having missed out on a direct place in the last 16 of the Champions League by just one point, Atalanta might have expected to see off Club Brugge in Brussels when the two sides met in the first leg of their play-off.

Instead, after Mario Pasalic's header had put La Dea level, the visitors looked set for a 1-1 draw, but a moment of late drama swung the pendulum in Brugge's favour when Isak Hien was penalised for barely touching his opponent in the box, before Gustaf Nilsson converted from the spot.

The penalty was protested in vain by Atalanta's players and coaching staff, but they will get their revenge when the Belgians visit Bergamo next Tuesday, with the winners playing either Lille or Aston Villa.

The setback has seen the Nerazzurri win just three of their last 12 games, including a defeat to Bologna in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

Although they are all but out of the Serie A title race, they did at least consolidate their hold on third place last weekend as in-form striker Mateo Retegui scored four of the five goals in a comprehensive win over Hellas Verona.

Gian Piero Gasperini will be hoping to secure back-to-back league victories for the first time this year, and success on Saturday would also see him reach a personal milestone: 'Gasp' is just one point shy of 600 as Atalanta's head coach.

Despite losing 1-0 in the reverse fixture in December, Cagliari have won four of their last six away games against this week's hosts, having failed to win any of the previous 14.

Davide Nicola's men moved further away from the relegation zone last week when they overcame bitter rivals Parma, with debutant Florinel Coman firing home from long range in a vital 2-1 home win.

Despite moving four points clear of their visitors, who occupy the final relegation spot, the Rossoblu's defensive record remains a cause for concern, especially when faced with La Dea's prolific front line.

Cagliari have kept just two clean sheets this season, and none of those have come away from home. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they have won just one of their last nine league games away from home - and that was against lowly Monza.

Previous results against Italy's big guns also suggest they will struggle to take anything back to Sardinia, with just four of their 24 points coming against teams in the top half of the table.

Recent Performance

Atalanta BC Serie A form:DDLWDW

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):WDDLWL

Cagliari Serie A form:WDWLLW

Team News

Gian Piero Gasperini has hinted that Ademola Lookman, Sead Kolasinac and new signing Daniel Maldini could return from injury for next week's trip to Club Brugge, but all three are set to miss Saturday's clash.

First-choice goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi is also a doubt, while centre-back Odilon Kossounou is certain to join long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini on the sidelines.

Unless rested between two Champions League games, Mateo Retegui will lead the La Dea attack after scoring 20 Serie A goals this season - only four men have ever scored more for Atalanta in a single campaign.

Cagliari's star striker Roberto Piccoli made his top-flight debut for the Nerazzurri in April 2019. Curiously, 16 of his 19 league goals have come in the second half of the season, and each has come against a different club.

After making a big impact off the bench last time out, Florinel Coman will be hoping to replace Mattia Felici on the Rossoblu's left flank, but Davide Nicola is likely to maintain a settled side.

The visitors should have a full squad to choose from as Zito Luvumbo recently returned to full training after recovering from an ankle injury.

Possible starting lineup

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Posch, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Brescianini; De Ketelaere, Retegui

Cagliari possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Augello; Zortea, Makoumbou, Adopo, Felici; Viola; Piccoli