After some eye-catching trading in the transfer window, Atalanta BC kick off their Serie A campaign on Sunday, when they visit Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium.
While the Bergamaschi finished fifth last term to secure a return to Europe, their hosts posted another bottom-half placing and will aim to improve in 2023-24.
Match preview
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As Serie A's longest-serving coach starts his eighth season in charge of serial overachievers Atalanta, the Bergamo club have furnished Gian Piero Gasperini with several new signings to compensate for the loss of Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United's new striker left La Dea after just one year, but having turned over a huge profit upon completion of his switch to Old Trafford, funds were released to acquire Gianluca Scamacca - who scored two-thirds of his Serie A goals while at Sassuolo - and El Bilal Toure.
Following his underwhelming start to life at San Siro, Charles De Ketelaere has also joined on loan from Milan, while out went Joakim Maehle and Jeremie Boga, among others. Importantly, much-admired stars such as Teun Koopmeiners and Giorgio Scalvini remain in situ.
After a pre-season period in which they beat Bournemouth, lost to Union Berlin and held domestic rivals Juventus to a goalless draw, Atalanta now set off in search of success in both Serie A and the Europa League, having qualified for the latter last term following a year without any continental competition.
The portents are certainly good for their first league fixture: the Nerazzurri have won each of their last five opening matches, and across the last five Serie A campaigns they have also scored the joint-most goals on matchday one, alongside Napoli (15).
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There are, however, some points of precedent in Sassuolo's favour ahead of Sunday's clash, as in the five summers they have started a Serie A season on home turf they are yet to lose once, posting two wins and three draws.
Not only that, but the Neroverdi have also won two of their last three league meetings with Atalanta - as many as in the previous 17. Both have come under current coach Alessio Dionisi, who led his side to 13th place in the final standings last season.
Without a win in the league since April, Sassuolo picked up just two points from their last six matches of the 2022-23 campaign to drift down the table into obscurity.
While the club from Reggio Emilia have recently failed to match the feats of the Roberto De Zerbi era, when successive top-half finishes were achieved, they remain an inspiration for other modest clubs with dreams of cracking Calcio's elite.
Having lost to regional rivals Parma and then drawn 1-1 with Wolfsburg in their final two friendlies, the Neroverdi's first competitive outing of the new season saw them squeeze past Cosenza in the Coppa Italia last week.
On that occasion, they scored three goals during extra time after conceding a 90th-minute equaliser; on Sunday, though, the level of opposition steps up a notch when Atalanta come to town.
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Team News
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With Rasmus Hojlund now departed, El Bilal Toure injured and Nicolo Cambiaghi suspended for Sunday's game, either Duvan Zapata or Gianluca Scamacca will lead the line for Atalanta.
One of only two Italians born this century to have scored at least 40 goals in Europe's top five leagues - along with Moise Kean - the latter could partner Ademola Lookman, though Zapata remains favourite to start.
Hans Hateboer is still sidelined as he recovers from an ACL injury, but new boy Mitchel Bakker should start on the left, in tandem with another recent arrival, Sead Kolasinac, who is expected to form part of La Dea's back three. Juan Musso keeps his place in goal despite the claims of Marco Carnesecchi, who excelled for Cremonese last season.
Sassuolo, meanwhile, start the 2023-24 season with Brazilian centre-back Ruan suspended and Agustin Alvarez still out injured; midfield maestro Davide Frattesi has joined Inter and Rogerio signed for Wolfsburg.
Acquired from Nice, Mattia Viti will bolster the hosts' defence, along with former Roma full-back Matias Vina; the leading scorer for Serie B champions Frosinone last term, Samuele Mulattieri battles it out with Andrea Pinamonti to start up front.
Despite having scored six times against Atalanta in Serie A, Domenico Berardi has lost 10 of his 18 league games against them to date; after another summer of speculation the Italy winger remains in Reggio Emilia but is not fit to feature on Sunday.
Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Toljan, Viti, Erlic, Vina; Lopez, Henrique; Defrel, Bajrami, Lauriente; Pinamonti
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Bakker; Pasalic; Lookman, Zapata
We say: Sassuolo 1-1 Atalanta BC
Often a tricky place to tread, Sassuolo's Mapei Stadium would not be Atalanta's first-choice venue for their Serie A opener, and they may have to settle for taking home just one point. With their new forwards still settling in, the Nerazzurri can be caught out by their hosts, who boast several attacking threats of their own.
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