Atalanta vs Lecce Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Atalanta have had a troublesome summer as the Bergamasci now welcome likely strugglers Lecce to the Gewiss Stadium.
Kick-off date/time:
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Atalanta preview: Likely regression
Over the last decade or so, Atalanta have been able to transform themselves into a UEFA Champions League regular, but they have since lost the man who masterminded that, with Gian Piero Gasperini departing for Roma and being replaced by Ivan Juric, most recently enduring a horrible spell in charge of Southampton.
A predictably slow start has therefore since ensued for Atalanta. On the opening day, they shared a very disappointing 1-1 draw at home to newly-promoted Pisa, before then being held to a 1-1 draw against a Parma side that are expected to struggle this season, having also lost their manager with Cristian Chivu departing for Internazionale over the summer.
Lecce preview: Lacklustre Lecce
In each of the last couple of seasons, Lecce, following their promotion to the Italian top-flight during the 2022/23 campaign, have managed to secure so-called 'great escapes'. Despite that, not much progress in terms of the quality of their squad has been made and they once again expected to struggle this season.
Under the management of Eusebio Di Francesco, who has been in charge of relegation Frosinone and Venezia, saving Lecce, in the last couple of seasons, the Apulia-based outfit have started the campaign without a goal scored, collecting a point from a couple of games against Genoa and then seven-time European champions AC Milan.
Atalanta team news: The Lookman issue
Ademola Lookman has tried to force through a move away from Atalanta throughout this season, but the Nigeria international didn’t get away, and it’ll be interesting to see if he starts.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Maldini; Krstovic
Unavailable: Kolasinac (Injured), Bakker (Injured), Ederson (Injured)
Questionable: Lookman (Personal reasons), Scamacca (Injured)
Lecce team news: Several doubts
As they make the trip to Bergamo this weekend, Lecce are dealing with several injury issues, with players such as Balthazer Pierret and Filip Marchwinski among the key doubts.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Falcone; Veiga, Gasper, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Camarada, Tete Morente
Unavailable: Jean (Injured)
Questionable: Camarda (Injured), Kaba (Injured), Pierret (Injured), Marchwinski (Injured), Rafia (Injured)
Atalanta vs Lecce prediction
Needed after the departure of Gasperini, Atalanta have been granted quite a reasonable early season set of fixtures, and yet they have badly struggled to make it count, and concerns are being raised early about the reign of Juric. Lecce are a team that will seek to spoil and frustrate and even if Atalanta do manage to get themselves a victory this weekend, it is unlikely to be a convincing victory for the hosts.
Atalanta vs Lecce tip: Atalanta to win & under 3.5 goals
