Overview
Maurizio Sarri is gradually having a favorable start with Atalanta as the team won two consecutive victories after a goalless draw in his debut. In contrast, Bologna started the season with a defeat to Lazio and have not yet solved the problems at home.
Sarri could not win in his first match leading Atalanta when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Hapoel Tel Aviv in the first leg of the Conference League play-offs. This result made him question the bravery of his players, but Atalanta quickly responded with a positive performance in Serie A.
In the opening match of the national championship, Atalanta defeated Sassuolo 2-1. Giacomo Raspadori opened the score against his old team, while Nikola Krstovic came on as a substitute and scored an important goal, helping the home team at New Balance Arena win all 3 points.
Krstovic was then given a starting spot in the second leg against Hapoel Tel Aviv. This time, Gianluca Scamacca appeared from the bench and scored, bringing Atalanta to the Conference League group stage.
The team that won the Europa League in 2024 will soon enter the European journey with a away match against Ajax in Amsterdam. However, Serie A is still Sarri's immediate priority, as Atalanta aims to improve their position after last season.
Bologna can look at their recent head-to-head record to find confidence. At the end of last season, Rossoblu defeated Atalanta 1-0 right at New Balance Arena thanks to Riccardo Orsolini's only goal. That is also one of Bologna's 10 away wins in Serie A in the 2025-2026 season, a record only behind the top two teams in the league.
However, home form is the point that makes Bologna worried. This team finished last season in eighth place, 3 points behind Atalanta and could not win a ticket to European cups. After that, Vincenzo Italiano resigned and Domenico Tedesco was appointed as his replacement.
Tedesco's debut also did not go as expected. Bologna lost to Lazio 0-1 in the first official match under the German strategist, thereby continuing the series of poor results at Dall'Ara stadium.
Atalanta is showing signs of improvement under Sarri, while Bologna still needs more time to adapt to Tedesco. The confrontation in Bergamo will be a test for both teams, especially when Atalanta wants to maintain their progress while Bologna needs to find ways to improve their away record.
Personnel situation
After rotating the squad in the match against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Sarri is likely to continue to adjust personnel. Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Charles De Ketelaere may return to the starting lineup.
Atalanta is still short of Thomas Kristensen, Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana due to injuries. Among them, Kristensen had problems in the first leg of the play-offs.
On the other side, Artem Dovbyk and Roberto Piccoli will compete for the highest position in Bologna's attack. Piccoli is being rated higher thanks to better physical condition.
In the remaining positions, Nicolo Casale may return after injury. Meanwhile, Oussama El Azzouzi will be absent due to a thigh problem.
Expected lineup:
Carnesecchi, Zappacosta, Kossounou, Scalvini, Bernasconi, Ederson, Gaetano, Samardzic, De Ketelaere, Scamacca, Raspadori.
Skorupski, Zortea, Helland, Heggem, Miranda, Amondarain, Ferguson, Orsolini, Odgaard, Rowe, Piccoli.
The match between Atalanta and Bologna takes place at 1:45 AM on September 1st (Vietnam time).
