Leader in Italy after 10 league wins in a row, Atalanta BC switches focus to the Coppa Italia on Wednesday when they host Cesena in the round of 16.

The Serie A leaders, beaten in last season’s final, are aiming to go one step further this season, while their second division opponents are looking to cause a massive shock.

Game preview

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Atalanta set a new club record for consecutive wins in Serie A and extended its winning streak to double figures on Saturday by beating Cagliari Nicolo ZanioloThe goal and a series of Marco Carnesecchi saves.

Leading the highest Italian league With a two-point lead over a large chasing group, La Dea had suffered a rare setback a few days earlier – Lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League – but normal operations resumed over the weekend.

Atalanta is still fighting for a place in the top eight in the league phase of Europe’s top tournament and leads a thrilling title race. After last season’s groundbreaking Europa League triumph, Atalanta can claim to have four trophies in their sights this season.

The Bergamo club will also take part in the Supercoppa Italiana next month, starting their latest cup campaign first. This marks his return to the Coppa Italia for the first time since the 1-0 defeat to Juventus in the May final.

Always demanding, head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has tempered the praise with words of warning as his team look to secure the club’s first Scudetto, but Atalanta are undoubtedly favorites to reach the Coppa quarter-finals.

Having won four of the two teams’ last five league games since Cesena’s exit from the cup in 2009, the Bergamaschi are expected to continue the same on Wednesday.

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The winner of the clubs’ first competition since 2015 will secure a home game against Bologna in the February quarter-finals, but Cesena will need to pull off a major upset to bring their Emilian rivals to the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.

While Atalanta is just entering the competition due to its Champions League commitments, Michele Mignani‘s men reached this stage of the Coppa via the scenic route.

After beating Padua in the preliminary round, they were given an away game in the first round against an opponent from the top division Cristian Shpendi scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win over Hellas Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi.

Then, Raffaele CeliaCesena’s competitor Pisa, who were also promoted to Serie B, was knocked out of the race in September thanks to the goal. Since then they have been fighting for a place in the top eight in Italy’s second division.

After Saturday’s 2-1 win against Cosenza, the Bianconeri are in fourth place the ranking list and are on course for a playoff spot, although they are currently 12 points separate from the automatic promotion places.

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

Cesena Coppa Italia Form:

Cesena form (all competitions):

Team news

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Amidst a busy schedule, Atalanta will surely take the chance to make several changes, with fringe players such as Lazar Samardzic And Marco Palestra rare starts are offered.

Top scorer in Serie A Mateo Retegui Could be one of those that Gian Piero Gasperini, albeit captain, spared Marten de Roon can return after sitting on the bench at the weekend.

Giorgio Scalvini is struggling with a muscle problem and Gianluca Scamacca has not yet made his comeback after a torn cruciate ligament, but fears a serious chest injury Isak Hien were repressed after returning from Cagliari; The latter also has to miss the game on Wednesday due to some bruises.

Meanwhile, Cesena suffered a major setback ahead of the trip to Bergamo as main goalscorer Cristian Shpendi left the pitch in tears and sustained an ankle injury in the win over Cosenza Top scorer in Serie B take a break for several weeks.

Sydney van Hooijdonk is therefore set for a promotion from the bench and could potentially be linked with the rising star Tommaso Bertiwho scored the Bianconeri’s decisive second goal on Saturday. Striker from Sierra Leone Augustus Kargbo is another contender for a likely 3-4-1-2 formation.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Patrick; Djimsiti, Toloi, Hien; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic, De Ketelaere; Retegui

Cesena possible starting lineup:
Pisseri; Ciofi, Piacentini, Pieraccini; Celia, Bastoni, Medicino, Adamo; Berti; Kargbo, Van Hooijdonk

We say: Atalanta BC 3-0 Cesena

Serie A’s strongest attack faces one of Serie B’s least effective away teams, so Atalanta can certainly take care of business.

Even if the hosts make significant changes to their squad, they should halt Cesena’s cup run and secure a place in the last eight.

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