Sassuolo vs Atalanta – News and Probable Lineups

Atalanta BC, following a remarkable European triumph earlier in the week, will turn their attention back to domestic affairs on Sunday as they face Sassuolo in Serie A.

Just four days after a thrilling comeback in the Champions League, La Dea heads to Reggio Emilia, looking for their fourth consecutive league victory.

Match overview

Atalanta found themselves two goals down after the first leg last week and were facing an uphill battle to keep their Champions League hopes alive when they hosted Borussia Dortmund in Bergamo on Wednesday.

However, they managed to erase that deficit by the 60-minute mark of a captivating match, thanks to Mario Pasalic’s goal that made it 3-3, equalizing the playoff tie.

In the dying seconds of the second half, they were awarded a penalty, and Lazar Samardzic calmly converted it into the top corner under immense pressure.

As a result, Atalanta remains Italy’s sole representative in this season’s tournament, enhancing their prestigious European record as the 2024 Europa League champions.

Stepping into the limelight – especially with Ademola Lookman departed and his substitute Giacomo Raspadori sidelined with an injury – Pasalic and Samardzic both netted last weekend in a 2-1 win over Napoli.

After another comeback, they secured victory against the reigning Serie A champions with two second-half headers, bringing La Dea closer to the crucial top four.

Raffaele Palladino’s squad has not lost a domestic match this year and has also progressed to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia, registering seven wins in their last nine league encounters.

Indeed, only Scudetto contenders Inter have accumulated more points and secured more victories than Atalanta and their upcoming opponents in the past five matches.

After a commanding 3-0 victory in the reverse fixture last November, which incidentally led to Palladino’s appointment, Sassuolo has triumphed in three of their last six league encounters with Atalanta – a remarkable improvement over the solitary win they achieved in their previous 17 clashes.

Having been promoted back to Italy’s top division last summer, the Emilian club appears secure in their quest for survival and is aiming for a top-10 finish come May.

With four wins from five recently, Fabio Grosso’s side has surged into the upper half of the table, exceeding his declared pre-season expectations.

In their last outing, Sassuolo comfortably overcame struggling Hellas Verona, winning 3-0 at home, initiated by an opening goal from Andrea Pinamonti and two from star player Domenico Berardi – the same trio that dominated La Dea.

Now, the Neroverdi could achieve three straight top-flight wins for the first time since March 2023, but they are set to face a very different Atalanta side this time around.

Team News

Despite suffering a serious cut to his head while winning the last-minute penalty against Dortmund, striker Nikola Krstovic is likely to be fit to compete with Gianluca Scamacca for a spot in the starting XI this weekend.

Midfielder Ederson has been absent for the last two fixtures due to a muscle injury, but he could also be ready to return if needed.

Unfortunately, Palladino still has to cope without forwards Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere, while there are concerns over the fitness of left-sided center-back Sead Kolasinac.

Having found the back of the net twice in his recent outings, Pasalic requires one more goal on Sunday to become Atalanta’s outright seventh-highest scorer in Serie A history.

Even with injuries affecting his campaign, Berardi remains the top scorer for Sassuolo with seven league goals this season, extending his record as the club’s all-time leading scorer.

The Italy winger was involved in all three goals against Atalanta in November and has scored eight times against them overall; he is expected to play in a familiar attacking trio alongside Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente.

Grosso will be able to bring back key midfielder Nemanja Matic and promising defender Tarik Muharemovic, both of whom missed the last match due to suspension, but Sebastian Walukiewicz must now serve a ban for accumulated bookings.

Sassuolo probable starting XI:

Muric; Coulibaly, Muharemovic, Idzes, Garcia; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente

Atalanta BC probable starting XI:

Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca

Sassuolo are in excellent form and have had over a week to prepare, while high-flying Atalanta is in the midst of a busy schedule.

Thus, the Neroverdi can kick off March with another crucial point on home soil, interrupting their visitors’ pursuit of the top four.