Seventeenth place Atalanta host Sassuolo on Sunday at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia as La Dea look to end an eight match winless run.
Atalanta coach Edy Reja is still searching for his first win in charge of the team. Since his appointment in early March, Reja has only been able to collect three points from a possible 12.
Atalanta are currently third lowest in scoring in Serie A. Their poor scoring form has prevented them from separating themselves from the relegation pack as the Bergamo side are only four points above 18th place Cagliari.
Sassuolo on the other hand sit comfortably in 12th place, though their form has been similar to Atalanta in recent weeks. The Neroverdi have lost five of their last seven fixtures including their last three away matches. On the bright side, however, they have taken four of six points in their last two games against Atalanta. In those same fixtures, La Dea have failed to score.
Sassuolo’s defence could be a patchwork again this week as right-back Sime Vrsaljko suffered a left thigh injury against Chievo. Davide Biondini is expected to slot into the Croatian’s place. Biondini is a natural midfielder with attributes that do not apply well to the full-back position. A weak tackler and poor passer (65% pass success this season), makes him a liability for Sassuolo down the flank.
Sassuolo coach Eusebio Di Francesco was forced to play without his first choice defenders in late February and early March. Those ragtag defensive pairings coincided with the beginning of the team’s losing run.
Sassuolo are very poor at defending in wide areas which should play into the hands of Atalanta. Much of Atalanta’s play comes from the wings and La Dea will look for the head of German Denis.
Atalanta will be without January signing Mauricio Pinilla which is a major blow to a side that lacks scoring muscle. Pinilla has tallied three goals since arriving on loan from Genoa during the winter mercato.
Pinilla scored a specular overhead kick against Torino last weekend prior to being sent off for a violent kick on Migjen Basha. The Chilean will now sit out Atalanta’s next three games. Joining Pinilla in suspension is Sassuolo left-back Federico Peluso which continues to add to Di Francesco’s defensive worries.
While defence will be on the minds of Sassuolo fans, the supporters should also be worried about the goal scoring form of striker Simone Zaza. The Italian hasn’t found the back of the net since February 1st when Sassuolo defeated Inter.
However, Domenico Berardi has been a bright spot in the Neroverdi attack during that time scoring four times since the win over the Nerazzurri. He is currently leading Sassuolo’s three-headed attack in shots per game, goals, assists and key passes.
Form Guide: Atalanta (L-L-D-D-D-L) Sassuolo (L-L-L-W-L-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Atalanta: Sportiello, Biava, Stendardo Bellini, Zappacosta, Cigarini, Carmona, Drame, Gomez, Moralez, Denis
Sassuolo: Consigli, Biondini, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Longhi, Brighi, Taider, Missiroli, Berardi, Sansone, Zaza
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