Monday night’s Serie A match between Atalanta and Como will go ahead, despite torrential rain in the Bergamo region, with a new kick-off time scheduled for 20.45 BST (21.45 local time). The game had originally been scheduled to kick off at 19.45 UK time, but was delayed following concerns about the safety of the playing surface. There has been several hours of continuous, torrential rainfall in the Bergamo area, and the pitch was completely waterlogged at the scheduled kick-off time. There was little to no bounce on the ball when the referee threw it to the surface during his pre-match pitch inspection. There was a half hour delay while the grounds staff put in their best efforts to get the pitch to an acceptable playing standard. The players, meanwhile, were instructed to return to the dressing rooms and await further updates. Captains Marten De Roon and Patrick Cutrone accompanied referee Paride Tremolada out for the final pitch inspection at 20.15 BST. The supporters gave a loud cheer every time the ball bounced up off the surface. Atalanta-Como will now kick off an hour later than originally scheduled, at 20.45 BST.
Fresh off their Champions League battle midweek, Atalanta BC are set to welcome newly promoted Como to Gewiss Stadium on Monday evening as Serie A action resumes. The Europa League titleholders, Atalanta, have faced a rocky start to the 2024/25 season, suffering defeats in two of their first three league fixtures. However, both losses occurred away from home against Inter Milan and Torino, while their performances in Bergamo have been far more solid. One of their home results was a notable 0-0 draw against Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League earlier this week, following a thrilling 3-2 win over Fiorentina in Serie A. As for Como, they were left ruing missed opportunities after squandering a 2-0 lead, allowing Bologna to stage a comeback and deprive the Lariani of their first victory since returning to the top tier.
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After bolstering his squad during the summer, Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini might rotate his lineup on Monday, following a hard-fought battle against Arsenal and with an eye on next weekend’s clash with Bologna. Both Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui could be given a breather, while Marco Brescianini, Lazar Samardzic, and Nicolo Zaniolo are all pushing for a spot in the starting eleven. New arrivals Raoul Bellanova and Odilon Kossounou could also be called upon to inject fresh energy on the wings and in defense. Mario Pasalic, who recently marked his 200th Serie A appearance for the club, is in the mix as well. The former Chelsea midfielder is on the cusp of a milestone, needing just one more goal to reach 50 in the Italian top flight, which would crown him as the highest-scoring Croatian in Serie A history, surpassing Ivan Perisic. However, Atalanta will once again be without long-term injury victims Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini (both recovering from ACL injuries), along with seasoned defender Rafael Toloi, who remains sidelined with a muscle issue.
Atalanta BC possible XI: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; De Ketelaere
Como continue to cope without their marquee signing Raphael Varane, and fellow central defender Alberto Dossena remains doubtful as he battles a calf strain. After Cesc Fabregas opted to bench struggling striker Andrea Belotti last week, it's uncertain whether 'Il Gallo' will be reinstated to the starting lineup; the forward is still searching for his first goal with his new club, following unproductive stints at Roma and Fiorentina. Should Belotti remain on the sidelines, Nico Paz is expected to link up with Patrick Cutrone in the attack, while ex-Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto will be pulling the strings in the heart of the visitors' midfield.
Como possible XI: Reina; Iovine, Kempf, Goldaniga, Moreno; Perrone, Roberto; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
After their Champions League exploits in midweek, Atalanta BC will host promoted Como on Monday evening, as they resume Serie A duty at Gewiss Stadium. The Nerazzurri came close to toppling Arsenal last time out, having previously beaten Fiorentina in a five-goal thriller; now, a third straight home game brings the winless Lariani to Bergamo. A tight and tense tactical battle may have ended goalless between Atalanta and Arsenal on Thursday evening, as both sides kicked off their league-phase campaign, but at the full-time whistle La Dea may have felt more frustration at not taking maximum points. Marco Carnesecchi made one fine first-half save against the Gunners, but it was his opposite number David Raya's spot-kick heroics that grabbed the headlines and twice denied Mateo Retegui what could have been the winner. Nonetheless, last season's Europa League winners banked a valuable point on their Champions League return, following hot on the heels of a superb fightback to defeat Fiorentina just a few days earlier. They twice fought back from behind to beat the Viola 3-2 in Bergamo, with recalled star Ademola Lookman scoring the winner in first-half stoppage time, and moved onto six points from four Serie A matches as a result. Only last week's opponents have recorded more shots on target so far, and the Nerazzurri also have the highest Expected Goals total (7.89). A versatile attack has helped in that regard, as Atalanta are renowned for neat passing, but they have actually scored the most headed goals this term (four).
Gian Piero Gasperini's team could now win back-to-back matches for the first time this season, as they welcome visitors whom they historically get the better of when on home turf. Atalanta are unbeaten in eight Serie A home matches against Como - albeit it has been quite a while since they last met. Before these teams convene in the top flight for the first time in 21 years, Como actually lead the overall head-to-head, with seven wins and five losses across 19 previous Serie A meetings. Continuing in that vein will surely prove a tough assignment for current boss Cesc Fabregas, who is a relative rookie in coaching terms - particularly in contrast to Gasperini's vast experience.
Como occupy 19th place in the standings and are still seeking their first win of a season that started with elimination from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Serie B side Sampdoria. Having been promoted from the second tier last season, the Lariani had to hastily renovate their Stadio Sinigaglia headquarters, so each of their first three league games were played away from home, bringing just one point before last week's long-awaited return home. However, they let a two-goal lead slip during the last 20 minutes against Bologna, after an own goal and Patrick Cutrone's second-half strike had put them within touching distance of three precious points. Few would now expect Como to bring anything back from nearby Bergamo, but they will hope to put pressure on Atalanta's sometimes vulnerable defence.
Having invested in developing his squad over the summer, Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini may make some changes on Monday, after putting in a big shift against Arsenal and ahead of next weekend's trip to Bologna. Either Ademola Lookman or Mateo Retegui could be rested, with Marco Brescianini, Lazar Samardzic and Nicolo Zaniolo all vying for promotion from the bench; summer signings Raoul Bellanova and Odilon Kossounou are candidates to freshen things up on the wing and in defence. Mario Pasalic - who made his 200th league appearance for the club last week - is also in contention. The ex-Chelsea man is just one goal away from scoring 50 in the Italian top flight, which would take him clear as the most prolific Croatian in Serie A history - he is currently level with Ivan Perisic. Once again, La Dea will be without long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini (both ACL), plus veteran defender Rafael Toloi (muscular).
Meanwhile, Como are still missing high-profile signing Raphael Varane, while fellow centre-back Alberto Dossena is a major doubt due to a calf strain. After Cesc Fabregas dropped struggling striker Andrea Belotti last week, it remains to be seen whether 'Il Gallo' will be recalled: he has yet to find the net for his new club, following fruitless spells with Roma and Fiorentina. If not, Nico Paz would support Patrick Cutrone up front, while former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto runs the visitors' engine room.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Samardzic, Lookman; De Ketelaere
Como possible starting lineup:Audero; Iovine, Kempf, Goldaniga, Moreno; Perrone, Roberto; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
Even if Atalanta decide to rotate their squad after a busy start to the season, they have too much quality and top-flight know-how for a Como side that has shown few signs of adapting to the demands of Serie A. In a third consecutive home game following the renovation of their stadium, La Dea should serenely secure maximum points and build on a fine performance against Arsenal. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
