La Dea To Turn Up The Heat On Roma

SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to a classic Serie A rivalry, as Atalanta welcomes Roma to the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on the afternoon of Saturday 18 December 2021.

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Atalanta has recovered from their shoddy start to the campaign and has climbed back into the upper reaches of the table – defeating Roma would send a message that they should not be written off for top honors.

“Many things were said about Atalanta at the start of this season,” said La Dea manager Gian Piero Gasperini. “There were some games that didn’t go our way or the points we deserved, but I never saw Atalanta struggling.”

Roma manager Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, will want his team to remain focused and driven for this tough trip to Bergamo: “The team has been fantastic, even after the ugly defeats the team never had me feeling negatives,” said the Giallorossi boss. “This game will require concentration and teamwork.”

Key players

Josip Ilicic – The Slovenian attacking midfielder is a mercurial and unpredictable player, but when on form he is a devastating player who can tear a defense to ribbons. Roma will hope this Saturday is not an ‘on’ day for the 33-year-old.

Tammy Abraham – The English striker has developed his game and added new aggression in his time in Rome. He will hope to occupy Atalanta’s center-backs and give his side a focal point from which to build in the final third.

Head-to-head stats

In head-to-head stats, Atalanta and Roma have met in 45 matches across all competitions, dating back as far as 1993. The Giallorossi have claimed 22 wins compared to 14 for La Dea, while nine games have been drawn.

Atalanta took four points off Roma in Serie A last season, winning 4-1 at home in December 2020, before a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in April 2021.

 Battles to watch

Gian Piero Gasperini v Jose Mourinho – The Atalanta boss has a much more open and attacking approach to the game compared to the often dour defensiveness of Mourinho, but don’t count out the ‘Special One’ pulling off a tactical masterclass on the day.

Duvan Zapata v Chris Smalling – Smalling has returned from injury to boost Roma’s defense, but he’ll face an incredibly tough test this weekend in trying to quell the threat of Zapata, who is fast, strong, and incredibly hard-working.

Ruslan Malinovskyi v Henrikh Mkhitaryan – Two classy playmakers,  Malinovskyi and Mkhitaryan will both look to get on the ball as much as possible and direct the attacking traffic. Watch out for  Malinovskyi’s long-range shooting and Mkhitaryan’s magical footwork.

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Match broadcast details

All times CAT

Saturday 18 December

16:00: Atalanta v Roma – LIVE on SuperSport Football and SuperSport GOtv Select 1