Hoping to move further clear of the dropzone, Genoa travel to Bergamo to face European spot chasers Atalanta this weekend.
Atalanta’s European hopes took major dents in their last two matches, firstly, when they were knocked out on penalties by Lazio in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, and secondly, qualification through a league position also became harder due to a 3-2 loss to Cagliari. Rafaelle Palladino’s men were caught off-guard just under ten minutes into the game as Paul Mendy struck twice within that period to give the hosts a healthy lead. Gianluca Scamacca’s brace before the break helped La Dea go level, but Gennaro Borelli’s 47th-minute goal made the difference. Atalanta now sit 7th in the league standings with 54 points across the board, seven short of 6th-placed Roma.
Atalanta’s chances of making it into Europe are slim but not entirely gone. If Inter beat Lazio in the Coppa Italia final, the Conference League qualification spot would be down to their current position. Four league games remain this season, and it is looking unlikely for Palladino’s men to overtake the Giallorossi.
Atalanta should have all of their players available for the clash, except Lorenzo Bernasconi, as he suffered a season-ending injury recently. Nicola Zalewski and Ederson should return to the line-up after getting benched against Cagliari. Scamacca should lead the attacking charge.
As for Genoa, they are virtually safe from the relegation zone, having made themselves clear by 11 points from 18th-placed Cremonese. A win this weekend would seal survival, and that is something they will aim to do before facing Fiorentina next in a six-pointer match. Daniele De Rossi’s men suffered a 2-0 defeat to Como in their previous outing, before which they had won each of their two games.
Genoa are managed to secure just one win from their last 18 league games against Atalanta, and it is unlikely they are going to break that rut.
Jeff Ekhator and Lorenzo Colombo should feature in the two-man attack tomorrow. Vitinha is expected to be dropped. Brooke Norton-Cuffy has recovered from his injury, but head coach De Rossi has ruled his availability.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the match between Atalanta and Genoa
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Scamacca.
Genoa (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Amorim, Ellertsson; Ekhator, Colombo.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
