Coppa Italia: 15 p.m. at the New Balance Arena. Atalanta, plenty of new developments: Palladino is seeking resources.
Winning with reserves is the mantra of theAtalanta, playing this afternoon at 3pm in the New Balance Arena (a good crowd is expected, as it is a match included for the 15 thousand season ticket holders) in the single home round of 16 match against GenoaThis will be a tougher match than ever before for the Goddess, who crushed Cesena 6-1 (Serie B) last year. The Grifoni, revitalized by the De Rossi treatment, will field several regulars, attempting a feat that would give further impetus to the Ligurians, who will have 500 fans in attendance and are coming off a run of two wins and two draws in the league.
“The Coppa Italia For us it’s a goal, in the last seven editions Atalanta has reached the final three times. We want to go all the way”, explained the coach on the eve of the match. Palladino, a former Genoa player, who will rotate the squad extensively to give opportunities to those who haven’t been used so far, but without lowering the level, while still fielding a handful of internationals and players who have all played in the Champions League, for a high overall value. The second goalkeeper has been announced. Counter, a defense with Kolasinac, who needs to get some minutes as he returns from seven and a half months out following a torn cruciate ligament, the young Ahanor, a former player, and one between Kossounou and Hien. The outside lanes will feature Bellanova or the former Zappacosta, and on the left, a likely relaunch for Bernasconi, a player who has started three games in the Champions League.
Abundance in midfield where Pasalic he will be the captain and will play as a midfielder with one between Brescianini and Musah, while Samardzic (who Marseille likes in view of the January transfer window) will act as an attacking midfielder, behind Krstovic, who is looking for a relaunch, and one between Sulemana and Maldini, two other attackers who need to be found.
The starters will be ready on the bench, if needed, for the restart: above all Lookman He must join the Nigeria national team for the Africa Cup of Nations by December 15th. He will then play the next Saturday’s matches in Verona and the two home matches against Chelsea and Cagliari, on the 9th and 13th, before flying to Africa. The 28-year-old striker, deemed unsellable by Atalanta’s management in the upcoming January transfer window, has scored two goals and provided an assist in a week and has returned to form under the Palladino treatment, which has revitalized him: “With Lookman,” says the coach, “we immediately understood each other; just a few words were enough. He’s a great professional, he’s doing well, he’s sacrificing himself for the team, and the results are showing.”
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Sportiello; Ahanor, Kossounou, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Pasalic, Musah, Bernasconi; Samardzic; Maldini, Krstovic. Coach: Palladino.
