Monza vs Atalanta Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Monza:
Di Gregorio; Marlon, Marrone, Carboni; Birindelli, Rovella, Pessina, Sensi, Augusto; Caprari, Petagna
Atalanta:
Musso; Toloi, Demiral, Okoli; Hateboer, De Roon, Koopmeiners, Maehle; Pasalic, Malinovskyi; Zapata
The newcomers Monza welcome Atalanta at U-Power Stadium on Monday night. The Lombardy outfit entered the campaign with big hopes. They are owned by the former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, while Adriano Galliani is also part of the management. Their ambitions are not big, only to escape the relegation. The 85-year-old Berlusconi, who owned AC Milan for three decades during their most successful period, seems unable to repeat the success. Monza started the new season in awful way as they lost all four matches. In the first round they lost 2:1 to Torino at home, then lost 4:0 away to Napoli, 2:1 to Udinese before suffering a 3:0 loss to AS Roma at Olimpico on Tuesday. The players confidence is low and coach Giovanni Stroppa is already under huge pressure. He has now lost each of his last 10 matches in Serie A - including six with relegated Crotone in the 2020/21 season. Maybe he is not good enough as coach, maybe the quality of the players is not at desired level. Perhaps that was the reason for some last-minute activities at the transfer market. The Biancorossi have signed Armando Izzo, while Nicolo Rovella came on loan from Juventus.
Atalanta started the new season very good. They have three victories and one draw in the opening four rounds of Serie A. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini's men managed to beat Sampdoria, Verona and Torino last weekend, while shared the points with Milan in the second round. The good results pleased the fans and they hope to see European football next season. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is high. Gasperini could be proud of Atalanta results in the recent years. Most of the players are ready for this match, only two of them are sidelined. Berat Djimsiti will be out for a longer period with a broken leg, while Jose Luis Palomino remains suspended for a doping violation. The absence of the mentioned duo means Gasperini's options in defense remain limited. Summer signings Ederson and Brandon Soppy have both impressed against Torino, but Hans Hateboer and Ruslan Malinovskyi are pushing for a starting spots. Jeremie Bog remain in the club after he failed to complete the transfer on the last day, but he is expected to make the bench at best. Duvan Zapata should continue to lead the line.
Monza vs Atalanta Prediction:
I expect both teams to score here. For Atalanta is obvious, they scored on
every game so far in Serie A and they play in excellent form. The question is about Monza, are they able to score, too? Well, I think so. There are two reasons. First, they play at home where managed to find the back of the net on both ocassions as hosts. Second, Atalanta are without two important defenders as Berat Djimsiti is injured, while Jose Luis Palomino is suspended.
Monza vs Atalanta Pick: Both teams to score - Yes @ 1.71 with
Pinnacle