Preview: Atalanta BC vs. Arsenal,Champions League League Stage
- Soccer News 2024/09/18 06:56
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Arsenal finally ended their six-year absence from the Champions League last autumn when they finished top of Group B with four wins from six, ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Lens and Sevilla.
They then went on to beat Porto on penalties before losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, proving that under current boss Mikel Arteta the Gunners were once again a force to be reckoned with.
As well as finishing runners-up in the Premier League, Arteta's side reached the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years, having come close on several occasions under Arsene Wenger.
Arsenal will be looking to continue their continental renaissance this year, having gone through their opening four Premier League games without defeat - most recently in Sunday's north London derby.
The Gunners have conceded just one goal so far, while Gabriel's winner against Tottenham Hotspur was their 23rd goal from a set-piece since the start of last season.
Heading into the midweek trip to Lombardy, which is followed by a high-profile clash with title rivals Manchester City, Arsenal have won six Premier League away games in a row dating back to last season.
The Gunners will be looking to make sure they continue to pick up maximum points on the road ahead of another stern test at home to Paris Saint-Germain next month.
With perfect timing, Atalanta celebrated the completion of their newly renovated home stadium earlier this month, ready to welcome Champions League football back to Bergamo.
The Nerazzurri return to UEFA's elite competition after lifting a memorable first European trophy last season, when they were the only team to defeat 'invincible' Bayern Leverkusen in the Europa League final, winning 3-0.
Ademola Lookman's hat-trick helped La Dea overcome the disappointment of losing the Coppa Italia final a few days earlier, as long-serving coach Gian Piero Gasperini finally got his hands on some silverware after years of hard work.
Atalanta will be making their fourth appearance in the Champions League between 2019 and 2022, having reached the knockout stages on two occasions.
They also faced a Premier League side in each of those campaigns, winning just once in six games, although Gasperini's men did record a sensational 3-0 win at Anfield to knock out Liverpool in the Europa League quarter-finals.
The Serie A side, who finished fourth in Italy last season, have won just one of their last seven Champions League games on home soil, and recent form suggests they could find it particularly difficult to do so this week.
After a turbulent period in the transfer market, La Dea began the season with a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup, before losing two of their first three league games. On Sunday, however, they twice came from behind to beat Fiorentina, with Lookman scoring the winner.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Partey, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Sterling; Havertz
Prediction:Atalanta BC 1-2 Arsenal
Atalanta BC VS Arsenal stream and TV listing
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