Gian Piero Gasperini has named a surprisingly strong starting XI for Wednesday evening’s Coppa Italia Round of 16 match against Serie B outfit Cesena, including the Serie A top goalscorer Mateo Retegui along with Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic in attack.
Kick-off is due at 17.30 GMT.
A reminder: This game will head straight to a penalty shoot-out if the scores are level after 90 minutes. There will be no extra-time.
This will be Atalanta’s first game in the competition in 2024-25. La Dea went all the way to the final in 2023-24, but were beaten by Juventus in Massmiliano Allegri’s final game in charge of the club.
Cesena, meanwhile, have already eliminated Serie A opposition in Hellas Verona in the first round of the 2024-25 Coppa Italia, and also progressed past Pisa, who currently sit in second place in Serie B.
Gasperini has named an experienced back three featuring club captain Rafael Toloi, along with regulars Isak Hien and Berat Djimsiti.
A recognisable midfield pairing of Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic starts on Wednesday evening, behind an attacking trident of Samardzic, De Ketelaere and Retegui.
Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui celebrates scoring the 2-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Atalanta BC and Greece Verona in Bergamo, Italy, on October 26,
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Toloi, Hien, Djimsiti; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic; De Ketelaere, Retegui.
Cessena (5-3-2): Pisseri; Ciofi, Piacentini, Pieraccini, Celia, Bastoni; Mendicino, Adamo, Tavsa; Kargbo, Van Hooijdonk.
Swiss
