Serie A resumes in Bergamo on Monday evening with Atalanta returning from the international break looking to turn a steady opening into momentum, while Venezia arrive with a much more urgent task. Maurizio Sarri’s side have taken six points from their first five league matches; Giovanni Stroppa remains in charge of a Venezia team still without a point at the foot of the table.
The sixth-round fixture kicks off at 18:30 on 12 October at the New Balance Arena. For Atalanta, it is an opportunity to give their season a clearer direction in front of their own supporters. Venezia, meanwhile, have chosen continuity despite their difficult start, keeping faith with former Monza coach Stroppa as they seek their first result.
Team news from Bergamo
Sarri is expected to set Atalanta up in a 4-3-3, with Marco Carnesecchi behind a defence of Raoul Bellanova, Thomas Kristensen, Giorgio Scalvini and Niccolò Bernasconi. Franck Kessie, Gianluca Gaetano and Ederson are projected to form the midfield, with Charles De Ketelaere and Jonathan Rowe either side of Gianluca Scamacca.
Atalanta will be without Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, Pompei and Kamaldeen Sulemana. Daniele Sportiello, Sead Kolasinac, Obric, Davide Zappacosta, Mario Pasalic, Lazar Samardzic, Nicola Zalewski, Giacomo Raspadori, Nikola Krstovic and Eljif Elmas are among Sarri’s available alternatives.
Venezia are set to begin in a 3-5-2. Filip Stankovic should start in goal, protected by Halhal, Moreno and Juan Jesus. Hainaut and Sagrado are expected to operate on the flanks, while Kike Pérez, Sohm and Helgason provide the central midfield. Yeboah and A. Adams are in line to lead the attack.
Stroppa cannot call upon Adorante, Bella-Kotchap, Gianluca Busio, Franjic, Mazzocchi or Sverko. His bench options include Lorenzo Montipò, Mohammed, Haps, Schingtienne, Gomes, Fanne, Berardi, Basic, Correia, Panada, Dagasso, Rrahmani, Lauberbach, Lisman and Fernandez.
The match will be available live in Italy through DAZN. Yet the larger issue belongs on the pitch: Atalanta want their sixth match to become the start of a more convincing run, while Venezia need their first points before an already demanding autumn begins to weigh more heavily on their campaign.
