Serie A | Gameweek 37

May 17, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris

Genoa vs Atalanta

Match preview

Atalanta halted Roma's charge towards the top four while securing their own place among Italy's top quartet by beating the Giallorossi 2-1 last time out. Ademola Lookman and unlikely matchwinner Ibrahim Sulemana scored in either half.

The latter, a rarely used midfielder, came off the bench to score the winning goal on Monday evening, as La Dea finally secured third place.

Now seven points clear of Juventus and Lazio with just two rounds remaining, Atalanta have won four of their last five — as many as in the previous 14 league games combined — and this surge has secured a return to the Champions League for Serie A's perennial underdogs.

Although they were still in the Scudetto race until last month, the Bergamo club may have faltered in 2025; however, last year's Europa League winners continue to punch above their weight under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Gasperini took charge nearly nine years ago and has overseen a golden era, but he has hinted that he may soon depart, prompting a potential summer of change.

Before concluding another successful season with a home game against Parma, 'Gasp' will first return to Genoa, where he spent several years in two spells as head coach.

Despite their flaws, his current team have conceded the fewest goals (11) and kept the most clean sheets (11) away from home in Europe's top five leagues this season, so they will head to the Stadio Ferraris intending to continue their recent dominance.

Atalanta have scored nine times in their last two meetings with Genoa and have won six of the last eight contests between the clubs in Liguria.

Following a 5-1 loss in October's reverse fixture, Saturday's hosts have won just one of their last 16 Serie A matches against Atalanta, losing 11 and conceding an average of 2.3 goals per game.

Nevertheless, they will face La Dea at the Ferraris with confidence this time, having recently held the league leaders and title favourites to a 2-2 draw.

Trailing with just six minutes left, Giovanni Vasquez snatched a point by heading Aaron Martin's superb cross past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, ruining the mood in Naples where they were anticipating a second Scudetto in three seasons.

Although consigned to an unusual substitute role at the Stadio Maradona, Martin still made an impact from the bench. The Spanish full-back's tally of six Serie A assists this season is the joint-most by any Genoa player in a decade.

Having initially moved away from the relegation zone when Patrick Vieira was appointed head coach in November, hopes of a top-half finish have since faded; although they are now safe from relegation, they have little left to play for.

After winning five times during a run of six home games without defeat, the Grifone have lost their last two home games, to Lazio and AC Milan. The last time they lost three consecutive top-flight home games was in 2021, and they will be keen to avoid that fate this weekend.

Recent Performance

Genoa Serie A form:WDLLLD

Atalanta BC Serie A form:LWWDWW

Team News

Though Stefan Posch and Rafael Toloi could both be sidelined, and Berat Djimsiti is serving a one-match ban, Atalanta can recall Isak Hien on Saturday night. The Swedish centre-back is returning from suspension, and fellow defenders Sead Kolasinac and Giorgio Scalvini will not return until next season.

Captain Marten de Roon deputised in defence against Roma and may be required to do so again, which would open up a chance for Mario Pašalić or last week's hero, Ibrahim Sulemana, to start alongside Ederson in midfield.

Supported by Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman, Mateo Retegui is expected to lead the attack. The ex-Genoa striker is on track to be crowned Capocannoniere; he has scored 24 Serie A goals this season and needs just one more to break Pippo Inzaghi's club record. Incidentally, 10 of these goals were scored with his right foot and nine with his left; only Alessandro Del Piero (in 2007–08) has reached double figures with both feet in a single Serie A season since 2006.

Meanwhile, Retegui's former club will be without Fabio Miretti, Alan Matturro and Ruslan Malinovskyi, while Maxwel Cornet and Caleb Ekuban are both doubtful. In better news for Patrick Vieira, versatile midfielder Morten Thorsby is back in the fold after serving a suspension.

Top scorer Andrea Pinamonti has not scored in 11 matches, which is his longest league drought in five years, but he will still lead the Rossoblu's attack.

Possible starting lineup

Genoa possible starting lineup:

Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Norton-Cuffy, Messias, Thorsby; Pinamonti

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, De Roon; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui