At the NewBalance Arena, a crucial challenge for the race to European placements. Raffaele Palladino's Atalanta, soaring in the league and making a comeback after a terrible start to the season, hosts the usual Napoli in an emergency state under Antonio Conte, who has the chance, by winning, to put a serious claim on participating in the next Champions League.
One of the matches that in recent years in Serie A has delivered hard-fought games and plenty of spectacle between two teams that have often been a manifesto of winning philosophies.
Click on the match card to follow minute by minute every update of the challenge.
🗣️ Words from Conte and Palladino
Antonio Conte, coach of Napoli, spoke to DAZN before the match with Atalanta.
"It will certainly be a match that will require a lot of energy. We want to dominate the game, we are not the type of team that waits, defends, and counters. The duels are important. When they play inside the field, they are devastating. Does Palladino fear Hojlund-Vergara? They also have good players who do this. How is McTominay? For recoveries, you need to talk to the doctors: Scott has never trained with us since he got injured. He has a tendon inflammation, but it's unclear when he can return. Talk exclusively with the medical department, certainly not with me. After Genoa, he has never trained. De Bruyne? The times are not short, these are serious injuries, and we are seeing it with Lukaku."
Raffaele Palladino, coach of Atalanta, spoke to DAZN.
"Ederson had a strain yesterday, he trained with the group, but I don't want to risk him; it would harm the player. He wanted to be there, but I prefer not to risk it; there are many matches still, and I'm sure Pasalic will replace him greatly. Sulemana starts today from the 1st minute; he has trained well and has always shown his value."
✅ The official lineups
ATALANTA (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Sulemana, Zalewski; Krstovic.
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Elmas, Gutierrez; Alisson, Vergara; Hojlund.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.