BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta celebrates with his teammates after scoring the first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid CF at Stadio di Bergamo in December achieved on October 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini has named a surprisingly strong starting XI for Wednesday night’s Coppa Italia round of 16 tie against Serie B side Cesena, including Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui, as well as Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic in attack.

Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT.

As a reminder, this game will go straight to a penalty shootout if the score is level after 90 minutes. There will be no extension.

This will be Atalanta’s first game in the 2024-25 competition. La Dea reached the final in 2023/24 but were beaten by Juventus in Massmiliano Allegri’s final game as the club’s coach.

Cesena, meanwhile, have already eliminated Serie A opponents Hellas Verona in the first round of the 2024-25 Coppa Italia and also edged past Pisa, currently in second place in Serie B.

Gasperini has nominated an experienced back three with club captain Rafael Toloi and regular players Isak Hien and Berat Djimsiti.

A recognizable midfield pairing of Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic will start on Wednesday evening, behind an attacking trident of Samardzic, De Ketelaere and Retegui.

Atalanta vs Cesena: Confirmed lineups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Patrick; 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.