Juventus and Atalanta are near the title challenge, and with a win on Sunday, one of them could still challenge the top order in this last stretch of the season.
Juventus have endured a mixed season, dominating the campaign by drawing an enormous number of games as they get set to host Atalanta at the Allianz Arena this weekend. Earlier in the term, they did look like a force to challenge for the title, but the many dropped points in games they should have won proved to be catastrophic for Thiago Motta’s men.
There was a period when even a top-four place looked unlikely. However, since losing to Napoli, which was also their first loss of the season, Juventus have roared back to life. The Bianconeri have won their last five games since that defeat and currently occupy fourth place, with only six points separating them from leaders Inter Milan.
Is there a chance to climb back into the title challenge conversation? Possibly, although it will depend on their success from here on and the idea of seeing their rivals above drop considerable points in the late run-in. Should they manage to win over the Bergamo side on Sunday, they could potentially go level on points with Atalanta, which might reignite talk of the title.
Meanwhile, Gian Piero Gasperini remains a frustrated figure on the sidelines following his side’s inconsistent displays. Some recent results would have been particularly enraging for the Bergamo boss as his Atalanta side failed to take advantage of Inter Milan and Napoli slipping up.
Club Brugge also beat them in the UEFA Champions League, making Atalanta the favourites to bow down in the second leg. The big problem with the side has been their inconsistent displays. They recently beat Empoli with an emphatic 5-0 scoreline and then endured a goalless draw against strugglers Hellas Verona on home soil.
The clash with Juventus is a big one for Gasperini and his side’s chances of staying a respectable distance from Napoli and Inter Milan. Should they win, they should at least keep the current gap intact, although a loss or dropped points against the Bianconeri will all but end their remaining hopes of securing a late title run-in.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
There’s a lengthy injury list ahead for Thiago Motta, as at least seven of their first-team stars are out of contention for this clash against Atalanta. Apart from those injured for the long term,
Juventus will miss Francisco Conceicao, Renato Veiga, Nicolo Savona, and Douglas Luiz for this clash. Federico Gatti remains a significant doubt, which casts doubt on Juventus’ defensive setup.
Piere Kalulu is available again after a spell on the sidelines. He could start alongside Lloyd Kelly, while Timothy Weah and Andrea Cambiaso could take up the full-back roles.
Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli could again be Juventus’s central midfielders, with former Atalanta man Teun Koopmeiners set to take the attacking midfield berth. Kenan Yildiz and Nico Gonzalez will feature on either side of the Dutchman, with Randal Kolo Muani again the starting striker for Motta’s side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Weah, Kalulu, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Gonzalez, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Kolo Muani
Atalanta
There are injury issues for Atalanta ahead of the game against Juventus, with Stefan Posch being the latest to suffer a massive injury that will keep him out for months. Rafael Toloi would be expected to replace him at the heart of the defence, while Berat Djimsiti and Sead Kolasinac will be present in the back three.
Atalanta’s long-term absentees include Gianluca Scamacca, Odilon Kossounou, and Giorgio Scalvini. Isak Hien is also a significant doubt for this clash, although the defender is expected to undergo a late assessment to determine his place in the matchday squad.
Marten De Roon and Ederson are expected to form a midfield partnership, while Raoul Bellanova and Davide Zappacosta are the wing-back options for Gian Piero Gasperini. Atalanta could find some solace in playing with the main front three of Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman, and Mateo Retegui, as this is the area that can cause problems for Juventus in this clash.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Key Stats
Juventus are undefeated in 34 of their last 35 matches in Serie A.
Juventus are undefeated in 25 of their last 26 home matches against Atalanta in all competitions.
Atalanta have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches in Serie A.
Atalanta and Juventus have produced more draws than any other fixture since Gian Piero Gasperini’s arrival at Bergamo.
Player to Watch
Ademola Lookman
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Having produced a game-defining brace in the win over Empoli, Lookman drew a blank against Serie A strugglers Hellas Verona the last time out. There are rumours that the Nigerian international might leave at t he end of the season, and he will want to bow out on style with a potential Serie A title win. For that, Atalanta needs consistent results, and Lookman may have to play a big part in it.
This team’s inconsistencies may have already cost them the title, although plenty of games remain in the season. The minor points gap could be bridged should Atalanta continue winning. Lookman will have to showcase his best self when his side meets Juventus away from home and help Gasperini’s men keep their current gap with the top order intact.
Prediction
Juventus 1-1 Atalanta
Atalanta have the attacking force to dismantle any side in Serie A, although the one important thing they lack in this title challenge is momentum. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have been inconsistent at best in recent weeks, and that might continue as the Bergamo side are once again expected to drop points.
Juventus might come into this clash with ample momentum, having won their last five games in Serie A, although this will be a more challenging test than many might anticipate. While this clash has the hallmarks of going either way, the safest bet would be a 1-1 draw.