Atalanta vs Kairat – News and Probable Lineups

Atalanta BC is looking to bounce back from a disheartening 3-0 loss to Parma in Serie A as they prepare to welcome Kairat in the Conference League this Thursday.

This defeat led head coach Maurizio Sarri to express his frustrations regarding the players’ mentality as the squad enters a “ritiro” ahead of facing a Kairat team under the management of Zhora Arutyunyan, who took over after Rafael Urazbakhtin’s abrupt departure.

Match overview

Before the loss against Parma, Atalanta had endured a four-match winless streak, but the gravity of the defeat was particularly shocking.

The Emilians were winless in four contests, having suffered three defeats and failing to score in three matches while remaining in the relegation zone; however, Atalanta’s poor display at home was sufficient to frustrate Sarri, prompting him to impose a training retreat.

As they prepare for the European clash against Kairat, players are not allowed to leave home, as La Dea aim to halt a troubling decline that has seen them lose three out of five matches and concede six times in two draws against Frosinone and Fiorentina, which both ended 4-4 and 2-2, respectively.

Over the course of their five-match winless run, Sarri’s side has conceded 14 goals, with at least two goals allowed in every fixture, highlighting their defensive frailties ahead of matchday three of the Conference League.

Currently, the Bergamaschi are sitting in 15th place after two rounds, with one win before a recent 2-0 loss to Ajax, but their standing in this Europe’s lower-tier competition remains salvageable.

Conversely, Kairat is in an even tougher situation than the Nerazzurri, failing to win in their first two matches after a draw with Riga and a heavy 5-1 defeat against Panathinaikos in their last fixture.

The Conference League defeat on October 22 was part of a three-match winless streak and constituted a disappointing run of just one victory in four outings, leading to Urazbakhtin’s resignation and Arutyunyan’s swift appointment.

While the departure of the two-time title-winning manager was unexpected, the Yellow Blacks must quickly refocus, as further setbacks in the competition could jeopardize their chances.

Despite Atalanta’s own challenges, Kairat’s circumstances appear dire due to their inability to win any of their last four European away encounters in the Champions League, Europa League qualifiers, and Conference League matches.

Sary-Qaralar faced 1-0 losses against Omonia and Lexi Sofia and were beaten 3-0 by Anderlecht before finally breaking their scoring drought with a 1-1 draw at Riga last month.

These difficulties may provide Atalanta with some encouragement, yet the Yellow Blacks will look to improve their performance and deepen the Bergamaschi’s woes in what has been a troubling winless spell.

Team News

Atalanta may have to contend with fitness concerns surrounding Franck Kessie (calf), Sead Kolasinac (thigh), Giacomo Raspadori (thigh), and Gianluca Scamacca (thigh), as they could be doubtful for selection. Meanwhile, Thomas Kristensen (muscle), Raoul Bellanova (thigh), Isak Hien (muscle), Odilon Kossounou (thigh), and Gianluca Gaetano (muscle) are ruled out due to a string of muscular injuries afflicting the hosts.

Nikola Krstovic is currently Atalanta’s top goal-scorer in Serie A with six strikes, and he may feature in his first European match of the season if Scamacca is not fit to start.

Kairat has fewer injury concerns, with only Jorginho missing from the squad, having not played since July.

Both Marc Gual and Edmilson, who have been the visitors’ talismanic figures in the Conference League, have each reached double figures in domestic competitions, contributing a combined total of 22 league goals to establish themselves as Sary-Qaralar’s primary attacking threats.

ATALANTA BC probable starting XI:

Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Scalvini, Obric, Bernasconi; Ederson, Pasalic; Elmas, De Ketelaere, Rowe; Krstovic

KAIRAT probable starting XI:

Anarbekov; Tapalov, Martynovich, Shirobokov, Mata; Mendonsa, Oksanen; Mrynskiy, Gual, Tuyakbaev; Edmilson

Following Atalanta’s setback against Parma, a strong rebound is uncertain, but Kairat’s struggle to score just one goal in their past four European away matches offers the hosts a glimmer of hope.

With Krstovic potentially leading the front line, La Dea could possess enough quality to break their five-match winless streak and alleviate some pressure on Sarri.