After suffering cup final heartbreak in midweek, Atalanta BC's frantic season finale continues on Saturday evening, when they visit Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare.
Between losing the Coppa Italia decider and heading to Dublin for the Europa League final, the Bergamo club must try to nail down fifth spot in Serie A.
Match preview
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Despite having a greater share of the ball and striking the goal frame late on, Atalanta were unable to replicate their brilliant best in Wednesday's Coppa Italia final at Stadio Olimpico, as they were beaten 1-0 by Juventus - the same team that denied them in the 2021 decider.
Having fallen behind early on, only an Ademola Lookman effort that struck the post came close to producing an elusive equaliser, so long-serving coach Gian Piero Gasperini must now reflect on a third final defeat since taking charge.
La Dea's long wait for silverware goes on - at least until next week's clash in Ireland, against unbeaten German champions Bayer Leverkusen - and it has been some 61 years since fans of the Bergamaschi celebrated claiming a major honour.
Back on Serie A duty this weekend, Atalanta will try to recover their composure and follow last week's 2-1 home win over Roma, their main rivals for a precious top-five finish and access to next season's Champions League.
Two Charles De Ketelaere goals put Gasperini's side in full command early on, and victory should perhaps have been secured by a greater margin; nevertheless, they now have a three-point buffer with one game in hand.
Although their latest cup defeat will leave a bitter taste, there have been plenty of encouraging signs in 2024: only champions Inter Milan can boast a higher points and goals average during the second half of this season.
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Lecce will be hoping their visitors suffer a hangover from losing in Rome, as the Giallorossi still require points to guarantee Serie A safety.
Having been beaten 1-0 in December's reverse fixture, when Lookman scored the only goal, the hosts are therefore intent on overturning that outcome in Salento.
With just one loss from seven games since new boss Luca Gotti arrived, Lecce were confident of seeing off fellow strugglers Udinese on Monday evening; however, following a 2-0 home defeat they are yet to confirm their third straight year in Italy's top flight.
While Gotti's side are still five points clear of the drop zone, failing to score in four of their last six games at Via del Mare - as many times as in the previous 14 - leaves them in some danger with two matches remaining.
In fact, no team has scored fewer home goals in Serie A this calendar year - just six in nine matches - so the pressure is now on top scorer Nikola Krstovic and Atalanta loanee Roberto Piccoli to produce more.
Team News
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Although in-form striker Gianluca Scamacca is back in action after missing the Coppa Italia final due to suspension, Atalanta will now be without midfield mainstay Teun Koopmeiners, who serves a one-match ban.
Towards the end of La Dea's defeat in the capital, Marten De Roon sustained a potentially season-ending thigh injury - the versatile midfielder, who recently filled in at centre-back, joins Emil Holm and Sead Kolasinac on the sidelines.
While Scamacca is set to replace either Charles De Ketelaere or Ademola Lookman up front, both Giorgio Scalvini and club captain Rafael Toloi are contenders to take De Roon's place in defence.
Meanwhile, Lecce also have one of their main forwards back from a ban, as Roberto Piccoli is available to face his parent club and re-form an attacking tandem with Nikola Krstovic.
Kastriot Dermaku, Mohamed Kaba and Lameck Banda are all ruled out by knee injuries; Nicola Sansone is sidelined by a calf problem.
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Pongracic, Gallo; Oudin, Ramadani, Blin, Dorgu; Piccoli, Krstovic
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Hateboer, Ederson, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Miranchuk, Lookman; Scamacca
We say: Lecce 1-2 Atalanta BC
Atalanta have posted three wins from their last four away matches in Serie A, and they can continue in that vein this weekend.
With no time to dwell on events in midweek, the Europa League finalists should prove too strong for Lecce, who have improved under new management but remain vulnerable at the back.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
