Four wins in a fortnight have boosted Atalanta BC's hopes of collecting more silverware this season, and La Dea will aim to extend that fine form by beating Udinese on Sunday.
Not only did they sweep aside Serie A leaders Napoli last weekend, but Gian Piero Gasperini's men then secured three points in Stuttgart, striding closer to the Champions League's knockout stage.
Match preview
© Imago
Three days after his match-winning display in Naples, where two first-half strikes helped earn a superb 3-0 victory at Stadio Maradona, Ademola Lookman was back on the scoresheet in the Champions League.
During the dying embers, substitute Nicolo Zaniolo applied the finishing touch to ensure Atalanta would see off Stuttgart and move within one point of the all-important top eight in UEFA's new league phase.
Tuesday's win came on the back of five straight Serie A victories, helping La Dea to within three points of Napoli at the summit and sparking talk of a potential Scudetto push.
Atalanta have scored 29 league goals this season, with 18 - or 62% - coming from October onwards; since the start of last month, Italy striker Mateo Retegui has been directly involved in 10, while Lookman has played a part in seven.
Demonstrating their ambition and confidence, the Nerazzurri have also netted the most goals from outside box this term (seven), including Lookman's second strike at the Maradona.
In a further sign that things are coming together for a possible title challenge, they have also tightened up at the back: yet to concede in the Champions League, Atalanta have kept a clean sheet in both of their last two league matches.
Having gone undefeated in 13 meetings with Sunday's visitors - their longest ongoing streak against any opponent - they may expect to sign off for the international break in style.
© Imago
Udinese have won only once in their last 16 visits to Bergamo, and that drought dates back to October 2017, so precedent will not be on their side this weekend.
More recently, the previously buoyant Bianconeri have lost their last three away fixtures - against Roma, AC Milan and Venezia - and are showing increasing signs of fragility on the road.
Following a 2-0 home defeat to Juventus - which swiftly followed the collapse in Venice that saw them lose after leading by two goals - Kosta Runjaic has seen his side slip back into mid-table, having made an unexpectedly sharp start to the season.
Runjaic inherited a squad that came dangerously close to relegation last term, but they are now well clear of the drop zone after 11 games of the 2024-25 campaign.
That represents success so far, and taking anything away from a tough assignment in Bergamo would be considered a bonus.
Team News
© Imago
Gian Piero Gasperini is sure to make some changes after Tuesday's trip to Stuttgart, particularly as Sead Kolasinac was forced off by a thigh strain and is now ruled out.
The Bosnian defender joins Atalanta's long-term absentees - Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini - on the sidelines, and Gasperini will also be missing a key creator.
After sitting on the bench in midweek, Charles De Ketelaere - who has provided half of his 14 Serie A assists for Ademola Lookman - is injured, meaning Lazar Samardzic should start against his former club.
While La Dea's attack is packed with potency, Udinese have heavily relied on Italy striker Lorenzo Lucca over the past year or so.
Lucca has been directly involved in 16 league goals since the start of last term; so after being rested against Juventus he should replace Keinan Davis up front.
The Friulani will have Isaak Toure back from suspension, while Thomas Kristensen and Florian Thauvin recently returned from injury; however, Alexis Sanchez is still awaiting his first minutes of the season due to a calf problem.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; Retegui
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Okoye; Giannetti, Bijol, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Payero, Kamara; Thauvin, Lucca
We say: Atalanta BC 2-1 Udinese
Although Udinese pose more of a threat than last term, Atalanta's recent defensive record is only outshone by their towering tally of goals.
Even if the Bianconeri do find the net, La Dea should still out-score them and seal a fifth straight success.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
