After making a dismal exit from Europe, Atalanta BC must try to tighten their grip on a top-four spot in Serie A when they visit Empoli on Sunday.
The Bergamaschi head for Stadio Castellani following a 5-2 aggregate defeat in the Champions League playoffs; meanwhile, the hosts have lost five of their last six games and are now deep in danger.
Match preview
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Aiming to overturn a one-goal deficit in the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Club Brugge, Atalanta could hardly have made a worse start, conceding on the counter within three minutes of kickoff.
Things only got worse for the hosts, who shipped two more before half time, before substitute Ademola Lookman pulled one back just after the break; however, the Nigerian striker then missed a penalty and club captain Rafael Toloi was embarrassingly sent off.
Last year's Europa League winners therefore bowed out of UEFA's top competition, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini leaving a bitter taste due to post-match comments about Lookman, who was La Dea's hat-trick hero in Dublin.
That setback continued a sub-par start to the year, which saw Atalanta lose in both the Supercoppa and the Coppa Italia, amid some inconsistent form in Serie A.
Rankings since 2025 began would see the Bergamo side sitting 10th, after their fading title hopes took another hit with last week's goalless draw against Cagliari.
Occupying third place, trailing behind Inter Milan and Napoli, the Nerazzurri's main concern will be clinging on to a Champions League place between now and the end of the season.
Nevertheless, ahead of Sunday's trip to Tuscany, they are still on a 10-match unbeaten streak away from home in Serie A - representing the second-best run of the Gasperini era.
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Not only have Empoli lost their last five games against Atalanta - including an eventful 3-2 away defeat in December - but they have also been beaten in five of the teams' last six meetings at Stadio Castellani.
Therefore, both history and recent form are against them coming into this week's contest, as the Azzurri are free-falling towards Serie B unless they can put a halt to their worrying downturn.
Roberto D'Aversa saw his injury-hit side lose 3-0 to Udinese last time out, making it three straight defeats in February - and by an aggregate scoreline of 9-1.
This calendar year, Empoli have gained the joint-fewest points - two, alongside Parma - and conceded the most goals (17), which has dropped them into the relegation zone.
While they may naturally have one eye on next week's Coppa quarter-final versus Juventus, first D'Aversa will aim to capitalise on Atalanta's woes and claim just a second Serie A home win of the season.
Team News
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In addition to long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca, Odilon Kossounou and Giorgio Scalvini, Atalanta will be without injured centre-back Isak Hien on Sunday, while Daniel Maldini is a major doubt.
Gian Piero Gasperini has Ademola Lookman at his disposal, following the forward's recent injury issues, but it remains to be seen whether the midweek controversy will affect his selections. With Lookman on the pitch, the Bergamaschi have won 68% of their league matches this season, averaging 2.3 goals; without him, their win-rate drops to 33% and they average 1.8 goals.
Meanwhile, only Mohamed Salah has scored more away goals than La Dea's main marksman Mateo Retegui (12, level with Robert Lewandowski) across Europe's top five leagues. The Capocannoniere leader has rattled home six in his last two away games, including four against Hellas Verona.
Empoli must combat Retegui without several defenders, as Saba Sazonov and Tyronne Ebuehi are sidelined for the long term, while Mattia Viti and Ardian Ismajli may also miss out; Luca Marianucci is still suspended.
Ola Solbakken, Pietro Pellegri and Nicolas Haas are also unavailable, while Tino Anjorin and Jacopo Fazzini have yet to resume full training.
After both were dropped last week, Sebastiano Esposito - who is one goal shy of reaching double figures in Serie A this season - and goalkeeper Devis Vasquez will hope to supplant Christian Kouame and Marco Silvestri respectively.
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Vasquez; De Sciglio, Goglichidze, Pezzella; Gyasi, Henderson, Grassi, Maleh, Cacace; Esposito, Colombo
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Posch, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
We say: Empoli 1-1 Atalanta BC
Atalanta have produced the most attempts on target in Serie A this season (140), while Empoli have conceded the most shots overall (381), so the direction of traffic in this clash seems pre-ordained.
The visitors have plenty to prove after recent events, and even a side low in morale should take care of business against ailing hosts who actually perform worse on home turf.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
