Coppa Italia Preview: Atalanta vs Fiorentina

April 24, 2024

Separated by just one goal after the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie, Atalanta and Fiorentina clash once again on Wednesday (24 April 2024), this time at Bergamo's Gewiss Stadium.

With a spot in the final against Juventus at stake, the two clubs resume the rivalry with Atalanta trailing 1-0.

Thanks in part to goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi's efforts in keeping the scoreline tight at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Gian Piero Gasperini's side suffered a narrow defeat in the first leg, played at the beginning of April. Rolando Mandragora's excellent strike was the sole difference between the sides in Florence.

Atalanta Betting Preview (-118 at Everygame)

Still in contention for a place in next month's Coppa Italia final at Stadio Olimpico, Atalanta could also see silverware in Europe on the horizon.

Following their remarkable 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield, La Dea recently secured a 3-1 aggregate success in the Europa League quarter-finals and are now set to face Olympique Marseille in the semis. However, their Serie A form has been largely inconsistent in recent weeks.

Before their clash with Monza on Sunday, Gian Piero Gasperini's men had won just one of their last seven Serie A matches. Experienced tactician Gasperini was relieved to see his side secure a 2-1 victory with goals from Charles De Ketelaere and El Bilal Toure.

Despite currently sitting in sixth place, trailing behind Bologna and AS Roma, fourth and fifth respectively, even fifth spot would secure a Champions League return for Atalanta, thanks to Italy's UEFA club coefficient.

Seeking their first appearance in the Coppa Italia final since losing to Juventus three years ago, Atalanta's history in Italy's national cup includes a sole triumph in 1963 and four final losses, with Gasperini leading the team in the last two attempts.

With key defender Giorgio Scalvini still recovering from a hamstring injury, Emil Holm and captain Rafael Toloi are nursing calf and muscular injuries respectively from the weekend, casting doubt on their availability for Wednesday’s crucial second leg against Fiorentina.

Amid a busy schedule across multiple competitions, Gasperini made several changes against Monza, but he's expected to bring back Teun Koopmeiners, Marten de Roon and Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta's starting XI here.

Gian Piero Gasperini is expected to stick with his preferred 3-4-2-1 system, entrusting Marco Carnesecchi with goalkeeping duties. The 23-year-old will find protection in the defensive trio of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac.

Ederson and Marten De Roon will anchor the midfield, while Matteo Ruggeri and Davide Zappacosta provide width down the flanks. Rested in the previous match against Monza, the wing-back duo will be brimming with energy as Atalanta strives for an early breakthrough.

Although Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere found the net against Monza, he may yield his spot to Teun Koopmeiners, who will partner with the dynamic Ademola Lookman as dual number 10s. Gianluca Scamacca, also rested in the previous game, will be eager to make an impact against Fiorentina.

Fiorentina Betting Preview (+300 at Everygame)

If Fiorentina can maintain their lead and advance, they'll be determined to secure their first Coppa Italia since 2001, aiming to erase the memory of last year's painful defeat to Inter Milan in the final.

With just one step separating them from the final this season, the Tuscan club is also on the verge of reaching a second consecutive Europa Conference League final, having eliminated Czech side Viktoria Plzen last week to set up a clash with Belgium's Club Brugge in the semi-finals.

Under the helm of Vincenzo Italiano, The Viola have become known as cup specialists, making it to the Coppa's final four in all three seasons of his tenure. However, despite their consistent cup success, Italiano still remains without silverware, a fact that has prompted his decision to depart from Florence this summer.

For Fiorentina, winning either competition offers the most viable path back into European competition, given their struggles to meet expectations in Serie A, where they currently sit ninth, seven points adrift of Wednesday's opponents.

Their recent league encounter with Atalanta was postponed following the untimely illness and subsequent passing of director Joe Barone, with a tribute paid ahead of the first leg. However, Fiorentina managed a 3-2 victory over Atalanta at Stadio Franchi last September.

Coming off their first Serie A away win since December, a result secured against bottom-placed Salernitana with late goals from Jonathan Ikone and Christian Kouame, Fiorentina seeks a repeat performance in Bergamo.

Italiano emphasized the importance of cup competitions on Sunday, rotating his squad heavily against Salernitana. Gaetano Castrovilli made his first league appearance in nearly a year, while Antonin Barak played in an unfamiliar forward role.

Regular starters Lucas Beltran, Nico Gonzalez, Andrea Belotti, and Giacomo Bonaventura missed the Salerno trip due to minor injuries but are expected to return against Atalanta.

It seems that a 4-2-3-1 formation will be the strategy for the night, aiming to dominate the midfield area. Pietro Terracciano is set to guard the goal, supported by a defensive line consisting of Michael Kayode, Nikola Milenkovic, Luca Ranieri, and Cristiano Biraghi.

Rolando Mandragora and Arthur Melo are likely to pair up in the middle of the park, while Luca Beltran, Nico Gonzalez, and Christian Kouame will provide the attacking impetus. Andrea Belotti is anticipated to reclaim his position as the focal point of the attack.

While Oliver Christensen recently returned from injury after starting all of Fiorentina's Coppa Italia ties until the semi-final first leg, the first-choice goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano should reclaim his spot in the lineup.

Possible Starting Lineups of Atalanta and Fiorentina

Atalanta: Marco Carnesecchi - Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Sead Kolasinac - Davide Zappacosta, Ederson, Marten de Roon, Matteo Ruggeri - Teun Koopmeiners, Ademola Lookman - Gianluca Scamacca. (3-4-2-1)

Fiorentina: Pietro Terracciano - Michael Kayode, Nikola Milenkovic, Luca Ranieri, Cristiano Biraghi - Rolando Mandragora, Arthur Melo - Nicolas Gonzalez, Lucas Beltran, Christian Kouame - Andrea Belotti. (4-2-3-1)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

Following Fiorentina's dominant display in the first leg, the tables may turn this week as Atalanta proves formidable on their home turf, while the Viola struggle away from home. With both teams evenly matched, the encounter may require a penalty shootout to determine the victor.

High on confidence, Atalanta will aim to assert their dominance at home, but the game is unlikely to be one-sided as both teams are committed to their cup campaign. While the margin between the two sides may be narrow, Gian Piero Gasperini's side is poised to clinch victory in the end.

It's worth noting that Atalanta have won the Coppa Italia only once, back in 1963, whereas Fiorentina boasts six Coppa Italia titles, with their most recent triumph in 2001.

This marks the third Coppa Italia semi-final clash between Fiorentina and Atalanta, with La Dea never having overturned a 1-0 deficit at this stage of the competition.

Spooky Express Free Play: Over 2.5 Goals -111 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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