Serie A | Gameweek 10

Oct 30, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Gewiss Stadium

Atalanta vs Monza

Match preview

Atalanta continued their fine domestic form with a convincing win over Verona last weekend, with captain Marten de Roon opening the scoring after just six minutes to set the scene for his goal-hungry colleagues up front.

Charles De Ketelaere scored once, while Mateo Retegui and Ballon d'Or nominee Ademola Lookman both netted as La Dea made it three league wins in a row.

The Bergamaschi have scored 13 goals in that run, interrupted only by a frustrating Champions League stalemate with Celtic, with the in-form Retegui netting half a dozen.

In all, Gian Piero Gasperini's men have scored more goals than any other team in the Italian top flight this season (24, including 16 at home) and are now six points clear of leaders Napoli.

A hectic schedule soon takes Atalanta to Naples and then Stuttgart as last season's Europa League winners continue their quest for silverware on several fronts.

First up, however, is a visit to Serie A strugglers Monza, who have been beaten in all four of the clubs' previous top-flight meetings.

Indeed, Monza make the short trip from nearby Brianza to Bergamo with an aggregate goal difference of minus nine (12-3) against Atalanta over the last two years.

The Bianconeri finally picked up their first league win of the 2024-25 season last week with a 3-0 win at Verona, and they will travel to the Gewiss Stadium having picked up four points from a possible six in recent days.

Twice on Sunday they found themselves behind against fellow strugglers Venezia, but twice they fought back as goals from Giorgos Kyriakopoulos and veteran striker Milan Djuric secured a draw despite Warren Bondo's second-half dismissal.

Now hovering just above the relegation zone, Alessandro Nesta's side have gone on a three-match unbeaten run since reaching the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

However, the Biancorossi face a tough run of fixtures before the next international break: after taking on Atalanta in midweek, Monza host another Lombard rival, AC Milan, and then Lazio.

Recent Performance

Atalanta BC Serie A form:WLDWWW

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):DWWWDW

Monza Serie A form:DLLDWD

Monza form (all competitions):LWLDWD

Team News

Perhaps with an eye on Sunday's high-profile clash with Napoli, Gian Piero Gasperini may make a few changes to the side that beat Verona: Lazar Samardzic, Mario Pasalic and Nicolo Zaniolo are all in line to start for Atalanta.

Mateo Retegui, however, could keep his job after scoring 10 goals in his first nine league games this season. So far this century, only one player has found the net more often in his club's first 10 Serie A games - Luca Toni scored 12 for Fiorentina in 2005.

While midfielder Marco Brescianini joins long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini on the sidelines, Ivorian centre-back Odilon Kossounou could return from a thigh problem.

Monza's injury list still includes Samuele Birindelli, Alessio Cragno and Stefano Sensi, but Bergamo-born Roberto Gagliardini - a graduate of La Dea's Primavera - could return.

Warren Bondo's red card at the weekend will force Alessandro Nesta to make a change in midfield, with either Alessandro Bianco or Omari Forson likely to partner captain Matteo Pessina - another former Atalanta player.

After a short break, recent Italy debutant Daniel Maldini returns to the bench on Sunday, where he will battle it out with Dany Mota and Gianluca Caprari to support lone striker Milan Djuric.

Possible starting lineups

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

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

Monza possible starting lineup:

Turati; Izzo, Mari, Carboni; Pereira, Pessina, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Mota, Maldini; Djuric