Lecce vs Atalanta Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Italian Serie A
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Lecce are one of a number of teams that are once again expected to be involved in a congested and competitive Serie A relegation battle this season. They start the campaign against the defending UEFA Europa League winners, Atalanta.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Monday 19th August, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports OR Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – discovery+ OR Cannot be streamed / US – Paramount+
LECCE PREVIEW: CONTINUING WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
Towards the end of last season, Lecce coach Roberto D’Aversa was sacked at the end of a poor run that resulted in him headbutting Hellas Verona forward Thomas Henry in the aftermath of a 1-0 loss to Verona at the Bentegodi. His replacement, Luca Gotti, led Lecce away from the bottom three and the relegation places.
The home team suffered just three defeats in their final ten matches of the campaign when they had been in a perilous position. They have lost quite a few players this summer with the likes of Roberto Piccoli and Pontus Almqvist returning to their parent clubs as well as Gabriel Strefezza and Marin Pongracic being sold on.
ATALANTA PREVIEW: GASPERINI’S LATEST EVOLUTION
During his time at Atalanta, which began all the way back in 2016, Gian Piero Gasperini has created three different successful sides with the Bergamasci but last season was the first time he had won a trophy with the club as they won their second ever major honour by winning the UEFA Europa League.
Their season has already started as they played in the UEFA Super Cup at the National Stadium in Warsaw against Real Madrid in midweek, frustrating the 15-time European champions for large parts but eventually succumbing to a 2-0 defeat to Los Blancos. They will be raring to go again for what they hope is another top four or five finish.
LECCE TEAM NEWS: REDISCOVERING THEIR TOUCH
There have been a few incomings for Lecce supporters to be excited about with the arrivals of Andy Pelmard and Lassana Coulibaly from Clermont and Salernitana respectively this week but Gotti does have his work cut out to ensure his Apulian club looking to rediscover their winning formula.
The hosts do have a few key injury absentees for this weekend’s opener with the biggest loss being Mohamed Kaba but the likes of Joan Gonzalez and Jeppe Corfitzen are also unavailable, too.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Gendrey, Gaspar, Baschirotto, Gallo; Ramadani, Pierret; Tete Morente, Rafia, Dorgu; Krstovic
UNAVAILABLE: Joan Gonzalez (Injured), Kaba (Injured), Corfitzen (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATALANTA TEAM NEWS: INCOMPLETE SQUAD
Teun Koopmeiners, who is the subject of strong interest from Juventus, had a doctor’s note citing stress to ensure he was unavailable for selection against Madrid and the Dutch international is expected to remain sidelined for their opener.
New signing Nicolo Zaniolo is also out with tendonitis, whilst their UEFA Europa League hero Gianluca Scamacca is not expected back until the New Year after suffering an ACL injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Musso; Djimsiti, Hien, Godfrey; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman
UNAVAILABLE: Toloi (Injured), Scalvini (Injured), Kolasinac (Injured), Koopmeiners (Illness), Zaniolo (Injured), Scamacca (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LECCE VS ATALANTA PREDICTION
In the second-half of last season Lecce were quite impressive, or at least they were in the final couple of months of the campaign. They have a lot of work to do to ensure they are effective once again and needed an 86th minute winner to defeat Serie B side Mantova in the Coppa Italia last week. Atalanta have some issues in the transfer market and some injury concerns but they were generally quite impressive against Real Madrid the other day and they will be confident of getting off the mark with a victory.
LECCE VS ATALANTA TIP: ATALANTA TO WIN
