Serie A Perfect Showdown
Roma and Atalanta Meet in High-Stakes Serie A Perfect-Record Clash
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Key Points
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Atalanta will be without injured defenders Isak Hien and Sulemana. New signing Franck Kessié is still short of fitness, while fellow newcomer Jonathan Rowe is considered the fittest of the recent arrivals; Kristensen has completed only three training sessions since returning from an ankle injury.
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Maurizio Sarri said Atalanta are the only Italian team to have played four matches in 11 days and described the schedule as a major problem, particularly because a Monday match disrupted the week’s training routine. He added that the squad had effectively “started from scratch” because of injuries, late arrivals and players returning from the World Cup.
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Roma have beaten Atalanta at home only once in the past decade—a 1-0 victory in March 2022 secured by Tammy Abraham—and the Olimpico is expected to be close to a sellout for Saturday’s match.
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Gian Piero Gasperini has faced Maurizio Sarri 23 times previously, adding another layer to the managerial matchup beyond Gasperini’s decade-long association with Atalanta.
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The match features several further player links between the clubs: Gianluca Scamacca has Roma roots, while Nicola Zalewski and Davide Zappacosta have also been associated with Roma; Giacomo Raspadori was reportedly close to joining Roma in January before choosing another path.
Roma and Atalanta clash Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico with both teams sitting unbeaten after two matches. Roma have dominated early with consecutive 4-0 wins over Fiorentina and Lecce, while Atalanta edged past Sassuolo and Bologna in tighter contests Yahoo Sports. The match marks a reunion for Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who coached Atalanta for a decade before taking over the capital club.
Over 65,000 fans are expected at the Olimpico, making this the season's first major test for both clubs Yahoo Sports. Atalanta come to Rome depleted by injuries and a brutal schedule, while Roma have won just once at home against Atalanta in the past decade.
Roma's Dominant Start Under Gasperini
Roma have announced themselves as title contenders with two straight routs. They demolished Lecce 4-0 in round two Quotidiano, following an identical 4-0 thrashing of Fiorentina to open the season. The Giallorossi's high-intensity pressing and clinical finishing have left little doubt about early form.
Home advantage looms large in this fixture. Roma have managed just one victory over Atalanta at the Olimpico in the past ten years—a 1-0 win in March 2022 courtesy of Tammy Abraham. The near-capacity crowd on Saturday will inject additional pressure on the visiting side.
Atalanta Struggling With Injuries and Fatigue
Atalanta arrive in Rome depleted and exhausted. Coach Maurizio Sarri revealed that his squad has played four matches in just 11 days—the only Italian team to do so. A Monday match disrupted the week's training routine, compounding the chaos of late arrivals, World Cup returnees, and key injuries.
Defenders Isak Hien and Sulemana are sidelined by injury. New signing Franck Kessié is still short of match fitness, while Kristensen has completed just three training sessions after returning from an ankle issue. Jonathan Rowe is the fittest of Atalanta's recent arrivals.
The Gasperini Factor and Head-to-Head History
Gasperini's ten-year tenure at Atalanta built the club into a European powerhouse before he departed for Roma. Now he faces his old club in a high-stakes encounter with plenty of intrigue. He and Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri have met 23 times previously as opposing managers.
Atalanta have the edge in recent meetings. They remain unbeaten against Roma in their last two league encounters and have lost only once in the past nine meetings between the clubs Quotidiano. Luka Samardžić sealed Atalanta's recent win over Bologna with a 90th-minute strike French Football Weekly, showing they can strike late when it matters.
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