Atalanta BC approaches its Serie A match against Cagliari Calcio determined to bounce back from a disappointing exit in the Coppa Italia, as the two teams face contrasting goals as the season draws to a close.
Following a tense semi-final that ended in a draw on aggregate, Atalanta was eliminated in penalties, even after Marco Pašalić netted a late equalizer to push the game into extra time.
This setback capped a challenging week for Atalanta, whose ambitions for a UEFA Champions League spot were also dented by a 1–1 draw against AS Roma in their league match.
Meanwhile, Cagliari finds itself entrenched in a battle against relegation. After a promising phase earlier in the season, their performance has declined notably, leaving them only a few points above the relegation zone.
A recent 3–0 defeat to Inter Milan underscored the quality difference between the teams, despite Cagliari exhibiting resilience for substantial stretches of the match.
Atalanta comes into this match with a positive track record against Cagliari, having won decisively earlier this season. However, fatigue from their cup matches and inconsistency present challenges going into this game.
Team News
Atalanta might alter their lineup due to the taxing previous match, with Gianluca Scamacca vying for a starting position ahead of Nikola Krstović. K waiting in the wings are Marco Pašalić, Giacomo Raspadori, and Raoul Bellanova.
On the defensive front, Isak Hien may return from an injury, though Lorenzo Bernasconi will not play due to a knee sprain.
Cagliari will miss several important players, including Mattia Felici, Riyad Idrissi, Leonardo Pavoletti, and Luca Mazzitelli. Marco Palestra is set to keep his place on the wing following impressive performances, while Sebastiano Esposito will lead the attack as their top scorer.
Possible Lineups
Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Rodriguez; Palestra, Folorunsho, Gaetano, Adopo, Obert; Esposito, Borrelli
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Raspadori; Scamacca
Where to watch
| Country | Broadcast/Streaming |
| Italy | DAZN / Sky Sport |
| UK | TNT Sports |
| USA | Paramount+ |
| Nigeria | SuperSport |
| Global | Serie A official broadcasters |
Recently, AC Milan earned a slim 1–0 win over Cagliari, with Rafael Leão playing a critical role on his return, propelling the Rossoneri to the top of the standings. Highlights are available on Serie A’s YouTube channel.
Below is a video of the match;
Meanwhile, Inter Milan has increased its lead in the title race, establishing a significant points advantage following another victory over Cagliari, edging closer to clinching the Serie A title.
Softfootball maintains that despite recent difficulties, Atalanta has the skills and depth required to defeat a struggling Cagliari team, but the hosts’ urgent need for points could result in a fiercely competitive match.
