Atalanta Form and Squad
Atalanta not so long ago had an excellent chance of finishing in the top six, but then in three rounds picked up only one point. If the setbacks against Roma (1:1) and Juventus (0:1) did not raise serious questions, the defeat to Cagliari (2:3) puzzled the fans and Palladino. Once again the hosts performed terribly in defence despite having 78% possession. The form of Carnesecchi is also alarming, as the goalkeeper has stopped bailing the team out, conceding three times from four shots on target.
Key Atalanta numbers:
The hosts are third in Serie A for big chances missed (60).
Atalanta have the second-best figure in Serie A for accurate long passes (26.3).
Atalanta are third for touches in the opposition box (28.3).
Potential Atalanta Lineup (3-4-3): Marco Carnesecchi — Giorgio Scalvini, Berat Djimsiti, Sead Kolasinac — Davide Zappacosta, Marten de Roon, Ederson, Raoul Bellanova — Charles De Ketelaere, Nicola Zalewski, Gianluca Scamacca
Out: Lorenzo Bernasconi (injury)
Genoa Form and Squad
Since De Rossi arrived, Genoa have turned from relegation candidates into a solid mid-table side. Recently the Griffins beat Sassuolo (2:1), and in the last round battled on equal terms with Como (0:2). Yes, they lost without scoring, but they did not lose the possession battle and actually had more attempts (9-8). In terms of xG, Genoa also were not far behind (0.59-1.08). The team are no longer burdened with the pressure of the relegation fight, which allows them to play much more creative and adventurous football.
Key Genoa numbers:
In nine of Genoa’s last matches there have been at least two goals scored.
Genoa have taken points in five of their last eight away games.
Genoa are ninth in Serie A for xG (42.4).
Potential Genoa Lineup (3-5-2): Justin Bijlow — Alessandro Marcandalli, Leo Ostigard, Sebastian Otoa — Stefano Sabelli, Morten Frendrup, Amorim, Mikael Ellertsson, Johan Vazquez — Lorenzo Colombo, Vitinha
Out: Tommaso Baldanzi, Caleb Ekuban, Brooke Norton-Cuffy (all injured)
