Atalanta’s pursuit of their first-ever Serie A title will face a defining moment on Saturday when they host league leaders Napoli in a high-stakes clash at the Gewiss Stadium. The Bergamo-based side, unbeaten in 15 league games, sits four points behind Napoli but has drawn their last three matches, including a 1-1 stalemate against Juventus midweek.
Manager Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the vital nature of this weekend’s match, labeling it a crossroads for their Scudetto aspirations. A loss could significantly dent Atalanta’s chances of staying in the title race while also testing their resilience ahead of key Champions League fixtures against Sturm Graz and Barcelona.
A positive for Atalanta is the return of Mateo Retegui, who marked his comeback from a hamstring injury with a crucial goal against Juventus. Though he may start on the bench, Retegui’s presence adds a much-needed attacking spark as Atalanta look to close the gap on Napoli.
On the other hand, Napoli is enjoying a resurgence under Antonio Conte. The league leaders have won five straight matches, with Conte’s team benefiting from a lighter schedule after failing to qualify for European competitions. Despite losing several key players, including Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is reportedly set for a January move to Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli appear well-equipped to mount another title charge.
Meanwhile, defending champions Inter Milan remain in the mix. A 2-2 draw with Bologna on Wednesday leaves them three points behind Napoli with a game in hand. Inter will host Empoli on Sunday, with Marcus Thuram available but still missing the influential Hakan Calhanoglu.
In other Serie A action, Juventus bolstered their squad with the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani on loan from PSG. The French forward is expected to feature in their clash against AC Milan on Saturday, filling a gap left by injuries to Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik.
Fixtures (GMT):
- Friday: Roma v Genoa (1945)
- Saturday: Bologna v Monza (1400), Juventus v AC Milan (1700), Atalanta v Napoli (1945)
- Sunday: Fiorentina v Torino (1130), Cagliari v Lecce, Parma v Venezia (1400), Verona v Lazio (1700), Inter Milan v Empoli (1945)
- Monday: Como v Udinese (1945)
