Atalanta BC vs. Sassuolo Coppa Italia Preview – Prediction, Team news, Lineups – Football News, Previews, Predictions, Transfers

Atalanta BC and Sassuolo clash in the Coppa Italia with both teams eyeing a quarter-final spot at the Gewiss Stadium on Wednesday. While Atalanta boasts a sole Coppa win and a 2021 final loss to Juventus, Sassuolo’s cup history is less illustrious.

Match Preview

Atalanta closed 2023 on a high, defeating Lecce, aiming to kickstart their Coppa Italia campaign positively.

Entering the competition at a later stage due to their top-eight Serie A finish last season, Atalanta aims to navigate their way to Rome’s final in May.

Despite success in league and Europe, coach Gian Piero Gasperini has yet to claim silverware. They face Sassuolo, with the home side having to pass this hurdle for a quarter-final berth against Cagliari or AC Milan.

Sassuolo arrives with defensive concerns, having shipped goals throughout the Serie A season. Despite a strong away record against top teams, they struggled recently, narrowly losing to Milan and previously blowing a lead against Genoa.

In a bid to improve their form, a cup run could lift morale, although Sassuolo has never won the Coppa Italia.

They’ve secured tough victories earlier in the competition against Cosenza and Spezia, but face a stern test against Atalanta.

Team News

Atalanta might rotate for this cup tie, resting players ahead of their upcoming league fixture. Gasperini might feature Juan Musso in goal, with changes likely in the attacking department due to Ademola Lookman’s international duty.

Defensively, they suffer injuries to key players like Rafael Toloi, Giorgio Scalvini, and Jose Luis Palomino.

Sassuolo faces a similar scenario, needing to rotate due to injuries affecting Uros Racic, Daniel Boloca, Gregoire Defrel, Matias Vina, and Pedro Obiang.

Coach Alessio Dionisi might rest Domenico Berardi and field fringe players like Samuele Mulattieri and Cristian Volpato.

Predicted Lineups

Atalanta BC: (3-4-2-1)

Musso;

Bonfanti, Djimsiti, Kolasinac;

Hateboer, De Roon, Pasalic, Holm;

Miranchuk;

Muriel, De Ketelaere

Sassuolo: (4-2-3-1)

Cragno;

Missori, Erlic, Tressoldi, Viti;

Henrique, Thorstvedt;

Castillejo, Volpato, Ceide;

Mulattieri

Prediction: Atalanta BC 2-0 Sassuolo

Despite potential rotations, Atalanta’s home form in Serie A provides an edge against a Sassuolo side struggling defensively. Expect Atalanta to exploit these weaknesses and secure a comfortable victory, progressing to the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.