Missing out on the Champions League at the end of last season could be a blessing in disguise for Atalanta. After four matches in Serie A this season, La Dea lead the league with 10 points from 12 possible.
Atalanta go into matchday No. 5 on the back of two straight wins in Serie A. As it stands, Atalanta are level on points in first place with Roma, but lead the capital club thanks to a better goals scored record.
Monza are back in Serie A and struggling. They have lost all four of their matches this season and go into the weekend with little hope of defeating undefeated Atalanta.
The home side has conceded the most goals in Serie A this season with 11. Just two goals have been scored by Monza. Last time out, Monza were hammered by Roma 3-0. Now, Monza host an in-form Atalanta with fears of another heavy defeat on the minds of fans.
Atalanta have been strong on the road in Serie A with six points from two games away from Bergamo. La Dea defeated Sampdoria 2-0 and Hellas Verona 1-0 away from home.
Gian Piero Gasperini is once again getting the most out of a team of players that may have been overlooked by “bigger” clubs. It is Gasperini’s masterful coaching that has taken Atalanta from a relegation battler to a Champions League qualification contender.
Two players are in the treatment room for Atalanta and may not make the trip to Monza on Monday. Defender Berat Djimsiti has a calf issue and is a doubt until mid-September. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi is ruled out with a shoulder injury until October.
Monza has three players on the injury list going into the game. Forward Marco D’Alessandro has a hamstring injury and is ruled out until later this month.
Defender Andrea Ranocchia has a sprained ankle that could keep him on the sidelines. Pablo Mari Villar is a doubt with a muscle injury.
Atalanta are led in goals by Teun Koopmeiners. He has four goals in four games for La Dea. Meanwhile, Atalanta’s three additional goals have been spread to three different players.
Atalanta have conceded just twice this season. They are not as open at the back as in seasons past. On Monday in Monza, Atalanta should keep another clean sheet, their third of the campaign. Atalanta should post an easy 2-0 win to remain top of Serie A.