Empoli v Atalanta Preview: La Dea and Azzurri Look to Build on Positive Results

Empoli host’s Atalanta in the midweek feature of round five of Serie A.

Both sides look to continue their form from a positive weekend which saw Empoli best Udinese 2-1 and Atalanta draw with Verona.

Atalanta have continued to string together positive results after starting off poorly on opening day with a loss at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to Inter.

Having picked up their first win of the campaign in week two against newcomers Frosinone, the Oribici have earned a point at Sassuolo and the aforementioned point against Verona.

The Azzurri have seemed to righted the ship after a rocky start losing to Chievo at home on opening day 3-1 and following it up with a hard-fought loss to AC Milan on the road 2-1. Since then coach Marco Giamopaolo has successfully lead his side to an impressive home draw against Napoli and the dominant victory in Udine last weekend.

History between the two sides has been light in recent years due to Empoli’s recent promotion from Serie B in 2014. Having competed against each other in Serie A last season, the two sides managed to draw in both legs with the only goals in the series coming in Bergamo where the match finished 2-2.

Nerrazzurri coach Edoardo Reja will only be without Sampdoria loanee Marcelo Estigarribia, who will miss the round with injury. Azzurri boss Giampaolo will be without the services of Georgian striker Levan Mchedlidze and Serbian centerback Uros Cosic who are unavailable for the match.

Mauricio Pinilla is set to get the starting nod over La Dea legend German Denis. The 34-year-old Argentine has only featured in two matches this year for Atalanta as an ankle injury had set him back. Pinilla has impressed so far this campaign netting two goals in three matches.

Riccardo Saponara has been the go to man for the Azzurri so far this season. The 23 year-old Italian has found the back of the net three times and added two assist’s along the way. Saponara was of interest of many teams throughout Serie A and Europe of the summer. He will look to link up with veteran striker Massimo Maccorane to exploit the back line of Atalanta.

Form Guide: Empoli (L-L-D-W) Atalanta (L-W-D-D)

Expected Starting XIs:

Empoli: Skorupski, Laurini, Tonelli, Barba, Mario Rui, Zielinski, Diousse, Croce, Saponara, Pucciarelli, Maccarone.

Atalanta: Sportiello, Masiello, Paletta, Cherubin, Bellini, Carmona, De Roon, Durtic, Moralez, Pinilla, A. Gomez.