After drawing against Udinese in their last Serie A fixture, manager Gian Piero Gasperini will look to guide Atalanta back to winning ways as the Bergamo outfit host Sassuolo on Saturday evening at the Gewiss stadium.
Atalanta have made a historic start to their Serie A campaign this season as they have never stayed undefeated during this stage of the season and they achieved that feat in this one. La Dea, currently at second, have conceded the joint-least goals (5) in the league, tied with Lazio while establishing a commendable goalscoring form.
Gasperini’s men will look to open the scoring early and defend in mass against a side like Sassuolo who too have shown an admirable goalscoring form this season. Atalanta will expect themselves to produce a statement win before they face off against top-4 favourites, Lazio.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo have been on quite interesting form this season – having drawn, lost and won three games from their nine. Manager Alessio Dionisi have set up a tremendously formidable defensive side for a mid-table outfit as Sassuolo have managed to keep five clean sheets from their nine games since the start of the season.
The Neroverdi came out as victors the last time they faced Atalanta on 10th April this year and Dionisi’s lads will look to make two wins in a row against their Bergamese counterparts.
Last five results in all competitions:
Atalanta:
D W W D W
Sassuolo:
L W W L D
Team News
For Atalanta, right wing-back Hans Hateboer is set to miss this fixture with a suspension after accumulating too many yellow cards. The Dutchman’s replacement duty may be handed to Joakim Maehle who can play on both wings but an injury screening will be made before he plays.
Skipper Rafael Toloi, Davide Zappacosta, Berat Djmisiti, Juan Musso and Duvan Zapata remain out of this fixture with injuries.
For Sassuolo, key player Domenico Berardi is set to remain on the sidelines with a muscular problem. Gregoire Defrel, Hamed Traore and Mert Muldur are also set to be out of this fixture with long-term injuries.
Predicted XIs
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Sportiello; Scalvini, Demiral, Okoli; Soppy, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Ederson; Lookman, Muriel
Sassuolo (4-3-3): Consigli; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez, Thorstvedt; Ceide, Pinamonti, Lauriente
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
