Serie A | Gameweek 12

Nov 10, 2024 at 11.30am UK

Gewiss Stadium

Atalantavs.Udinese

Match preview

Three days after his match-winning performance in Naples, where two first-half strikes sealed a 3-0 victory at the Stadio Maradona, Ademola Lookman was back on the scoresheet in the Champions League.

In the dying moments, substitute Nicolo Zaniolo added the final touch to ensure Atalanta saw off Stuttgart to move within a point of the all-important top eight in UEFA's new league phase.

Tuesday's victory, the fifth in a row in Serie A, moved La Dea to within three points of leaders Napoli and sparked talk of a possible Scudetto challenge.

Atalanta have scored 29 league goals this season, with 18 - or 62% - coming since October; since the start of last month, Italy striker Mateo Retegui has been directly involved in 10 of them, while Lookman has been involved in seven.

As a sign of their ambition and confidence, the Nerazzurri have also scored the most goals from outside the box this term (seven), including Lookman's second against Maradona.

In another sign that things are coming together for a possible title challenge, Atalanta have also tightened up at the back: they have yet to concede in the Champions League and have kept clean sheets in each of their last two league games.

They are unbeaten in 13 meetings with Sunday's visitors, their longest such run against any opponent, and will be hoping to go into the international break in style.

Udinese have won just once in their last 16 visits to Bergamo, and that drought dates back to October 2017, so precedent won't be on their side this weekend.

More recently, the once prolific Bianconeri have lost their last three away games - to Roma, AC Milan and Venezia - and are showing increasing signs of fragility away from home.

A 2-0 defeat at home to Juventus, which followed a collapse in Venice that saw them lose after taking a two-goal lead, has seen Kosta Runjaic's side slip back into mid-table after an unexpectedly strong start to the season.

Runjaic inherited a side that came dangerously close to relegation last season, but they are now well clear of the drop zone after 11 games of the 2024-25 campaign.

That has been a success so far, and anything to come out of a tough trip to Bergamo would be a bonus.

Recent Performance

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

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Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

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Udinese Serie A form:

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Team News

Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to make a number of changes for Tuesday's trip to Stuttgart, especially after Sead Kolasinac was ruled out with a thigh strain.

The Bosnian defender joins Atalanta's long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini on the sidelines, but Gasperini should otherwise have a full squad to choose from.

After coming off the bench in midweek, Charles De Ketelaere could return after providing half of Ademola Lookman's 14 Serie A assists - including both goals against Napoli.

While La Dea have a potent attack, Udinese have relied heavily on Italy striker Lorenzo Lucca over the past year.

Lucca has been directly involved in 16 league goals since the start of last season, and should replace Keinan Davis up front after being rested against Juventus.

The Friulians welcome back Isaak Toure from suspension, while Thomas Kristensen and Florian Thauvin have recently returned from injury, although Alexis Sanchez is still waiting for his first minutes of the season due to a calf problem.

Possible starting lineups

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Okoye; Giannetti, Bijol, Toure; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Payero, Kamara; Thauvin, Lucca