Two games remain in the Serie A season and Atalanta have everything to play for as they head to Turin on Sunday night.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s team sit in fourth place, three points above the chasing pack. Atalanta are in line to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
They must get a result against Juventus to hold onto that place. Fortunately, they do have a superior goal difference of +29 over rivals Roma and AC Milan.
Juventus are in a dreadful state. The Bianconeri’s form has been subpar since drawing 1-1 against Ajax in the Champions League quarterfinal first leg in April. Since that draw, Massimiliano Allegri’s team has lost three of their last six matches in all competitions.
The Bianconeri are coming off of a Serie A loss against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, 2-0. Juventus have looked fatigued over the last six weeks and injuries to key players are catching up with them.
Defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Daniele Rugani returned to training this week and could make Allegri’s starting XI. Giorgio Chiellini is set to miss the fixture due to a fresh calf injury.
Atalanta are coming off the disappointment of losing the Coppa Italia Final to Lazio in midweek. Gasperini’s team struggled to get a foothold in the game and will feel hard done by a penalty for hand ball that wasn’t give even when VAR reviews showed it should have been awarded.
La Dea’s form has been outstanding. They are undefeated in their last six Serie A games with four straight ending in wins.
Gasperini has got the best out of journeyman striker Duvan Zapata who has tallied 22 goals this season. He has scored more times in Serie A than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018-19.
Atalanta go into Turin with a great head to head record against Juventus this term. They are undefeated in two games in all competitions against the Bianconeri. Atalanta claimed a 1-1 draw in the league and followed it up with a 3-0 victory in the Coppa Italia.
The problem for Atalanta is mental and physical fatigue. Gasperini has a thin squad of journeymen and the club is one of Serie A’s bottom sides in terms of finances.
It is safe to say Atalanta have overachieved this term. Can they go away to Turin and claim a victory?
With a loss in midweek and looking tired in the cup final, it looks likely that Atalanta will drop points in Turin. Juventus will benefit from their fatigued opponent and pick up a needed win on the penultimate day of the season.