The 2018/19 UEFA Europa League qualifying has reached the playoff stage. This is the final round of matches before the draw for the group stage and the remaining teams will be desperate to remain in European competition this season.
Two of the biggest names in the main path of the draw are Atalanta of the Italian Serie A and FC Copenhagen of the Danish SuperLiga. Both teams will fancy their chances of progressing to the group stages but its Atalanta who have home advantage in the first leg on Thursday night.
Atalanta have made a very good start to the season. They played their first Serie A match of the campaign on the weekend and recorded a 4-0 home win over Frosinone. Atalanta were expected to win the game but did so in style and top the league after one match.
That was not Atalanta’s first competitive game of the season and the Italians have been involved in the Europa League from the second qualifying round. Having been held to a 2-2 draw at home by Sarajevo, Atalanta upped their game in Bosnia to come away with a huge 10-2 aggregate victory.
Atalanta were paired with Hapoel Haifa in the third qualifying round and came away with a 4-1 win in the first leg before finishing the job 2-0 in-front of their own fans. Atalanta have a strong record on home soil in the Europa League and remain undefeated in six games. Last season they defeated Everton, Apollon and Lyon at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia in Bergamo.
FC Copenhagen have played many games this season, both in Europe and the Danish SuperLiga. Trends show the have lost just one of their eleven competitive matches which came at the beginning of their domestic campaign.
Following the 2-1 reverse at home to Horsens, FC Copenhagen have won eight and drawn one of their nine games in all competitions. They have tasted plenty of success away from home in the Europa League, winning all three of their matches.
FC Copenhagen started with a 1-0 win at KuPS, followed by a 2-0 victory at Stjarnan and 2-1 win at CSKA Sofia. Therefore, FC Copenhagen have scored at least one goal in all three of their away Europa League games this season but have yet to face a team as strong as Atalanta.
Looking ahead to the team news and Atalanta will be without Josip Ilicic who is injured. Marco Varnier and Leonardo Spinazzola are both long term absentees for the hosts.
FC Copenhagen are still without the injured forward Jonas Wind. The 29 year old Greek midfielder Zeca is also a doubt for the game.
Despite enjoying a strong start to the season, FC Copenhagen could be facing their second loss of the campaign. Atalanta have a good record at home in the Europa League and have the superior talent in their team. Therefore, we could see a home win with both teams scoring.