After experiencing different fortunes last weekend, regional rivals Atalanta BC and Monza meet at the Gewiss Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Lombardy clubs convene in Bergamo sitting on three points apiece after two Serie A matches, as they head into their final fixture before the international break.
Match preview
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Despite coming close on several occasions during the second half at Stadio Benito Stirpe last week, Atalanta were ultimately unable to complete a fightback from two goals down to Frosinone and suffered their first defeat of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Bergmaschi trailed by two after just 24 minutes, but Duvan Zapata's second-half strike was all they could muster in response to their promoted hosts' opening salvo, sending them home empty-handed.
After leading his team to a fifth-place finish last term and securing their return to European football, Gian Piero Gasperini is targeting a top-four spot next spring, but such setbacks will undermine the plans of Calcio's perennial overachievers.
While Milan reject Charles De Ketelaere scored in the opening-day win over Sassuolo, fellow summer signing Gianluca Scamacca has yet to get off the mark for La Dea, while ex-Almeria forward El Bilal Toure is sidelined by a serious thigh injury.
Nonetheless, there should be sufficient firepower at Gasperini's disposal despite the departure of Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United after just one season in Bergamo, and his team will now aim to replicate last season's success against Monza.
Having won 2-0 away to the Biancorossi almost exactly a year ago, Atalanta then smashed them 5-2 in June, when Hojlund joined hat-trick hero Teun Koopmeiners on the scoresheet.
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Since losing to La Dea near the start of their first Serie A adventure, Monza have come a long way under coach Raffaele Palladino, who took the reins just a week later and helped a promoted side to finish 11th on their top-flight debut.
After losing 2-0 to Inter on the first matchday of their 2023-24 campaign, the Biancorossi picked up their first points of the new season last Saturday, when goals either side of the interval secured victory over Empoli.
Andrea Colpani's brace and a superb series of Michele Di Gregorio saves helped Palladino's men get off the mark, following defeats in both league and cup - they suffered a shock Coppa Italia exit to Reggiana in their first competitive fixture.
Having apparently caught the eye of several bigger clubs, it may not be long before Colpani follows departing centre-forward Andrea Petagna out of the door - the latter has just agreed a switch to Cagliari - but for now the 24-year-old remains integral to Monza's plans of pushing for a top-half finish.
Upsetting Juventus and Inter last term helped the Brianzoli exceed expectations, so turning over opponents such as Atalanta could ultimately help them achieve that aim.
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Team News
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In addition to long-term absentees Hans Hateboer (ACL) and El Bilal Toure (thigh), Jose Luis Palomino and Brandon Soppy remain unavailable for Atalanta's second home fixture of the season.
Long linked with a move away from Bergamo, Duvan Zapata has finally walked through the exit door - heading to Torino. Gianluca Scamacca may now take the Colombian's place, partnering Ademola Lookman or Charles De Ketelaere.
A certain starter in midfield, Teun Koopmeiners has been directly involved in four of La Dea's seven Serie A goals against Monza, including a hat-trick in June. Since the start of last season, he is the only midfielder to have scored multiple trebles (two) throughout Europe's top five leagues.
Meanwhile, Monza star Andrea Colpani has now netted three goals in his last three league matches, including one in the 5-2 loss to Atalanta on the final day of last season. With Andrea Petagna leaving, Colpani and Gianluca Caprari should support Dany Mota up front on Saturday evening.
Ex-Inter defender Danilo D'Ambrosio (ankle) is the visitors' most notable injury absentee, while Armando Izzo is also struggling for fitness and may also be missing from their back three.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Musso; Toloi, Scalvini, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners, De Ketelaere; Scamacca
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Carboni, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Gagliardini, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Colpani, Caprari; Mota
We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Monza
Atalanta have drawn only one of their last 16 Serie A home matches, but they may have to settle for a point this weekend. Under Raffaele Palladino, Monza are capable of springing the odd surprise, and the Biancorossi can avoid being beaten by their Lombardy rivals for the first time since winning promotion last year.
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Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
