Atalanta welcome Juventus to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo for the big game of the weekend in Serie A on Friday night.
The hosts have European football in their sights for next season and could move above Lazio into fourth place with a victory. Juventus are closing in on the Serie A title and a win in this match would cement their grip on top spot with just four matches remaining in the league this season.
Atalanta come into this match having sealed all 3 points in an exciting 3-2 victory over Bologna on the weekend. Interestingly, the winning goal in that match was scored by Mattia Caldara, a player who is currently at Atalanta but owned by opponents, Juventus.
That win means it is now five games without defeat for Gianpiero Gasperini’s team and they are one of the form sides in Serie A in the second half of the season. In fact, Atalanta have lost just one of their previous thirteen league games, which is a very good record and highlights just what a tough match this could be for Juventus.
However, Max Allegri’s team have lost only one match from their last twenty-one in all competitions. In Serie A, the Bianconeri are undefeated in their last fourteen games, a run which stretches back to the middle of January, when they lost 2-1 at Fiorentina.
That being said, when Juventus have dropped points this season it has happened when playing away from home and they been defeated by Inter Milan, AC Milan, Genoa and Fiorentina. Juventus have also been held by Udinese and Napoli on the road, so it’s certainly possible to pick up points against the defending champions.
If Atalanta are going to take something from this match, even if it’s just a point, they must try and ignore their recent record against the champions. Trends show Juventus have defeated Atalanta in their last fourteen meetings, with all but one of those games coming in Serie A. You must go back to the 2004/05 Coppa Italia tie to find the last time Atalanta defeated Juventus, which was twenty-one games ago, an incredible record.
One of the key factors in determining the outcome of this match will be the starting XI selected by Allegri. With the Champions League semi-final first leg coming up against Monaco on Wednesday night, the Juventus boss may be tempted to rest a couple of his key players.
However, Allegri has shown in the past he is not one to think ahead in terms of team selection. Sami Khedira will start, as he is suspended for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final but it remains to be seen who else will be selected. Miralem Pjanic has returned from suspension so other than the injured Marko Pjaca, Juventus have a full squad available.
Atalanta will hope to have Franck Kessie available following an ankle injury, as the midfielder has been key for Gasperini this season. Alejandro Gomez and Stefano Mazzini are also rated as doubtful.
This has the makings of a very exciting game and Atalanta, given their recent scoring record, have the potential to breakthrough a tough Juventus defensive line. Do not be surprised, given the fact Juventus are in Champions League action in mid-week, if Atalanta take a point from this game, with both teams scoring.