Atalanta’s bid for a first Serie A title will be put to a major test on Saturday when the local emerging side host league leaders Napoli, while Inter Milan are locked in a thrilling three-way battle for the league title. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side are unbeaten in 15 league games, but three successive draws have left the ambitious side from Bergamo four points behind Napoli heading into this weekend’s big game at the Stadio Gois.
Napoli’s visit comes after Atalanta drew 1-1 with Juventus on Tuesday evening, an impressive match but a disappointing result that leaves an unprecedented challenge for the league title somewhat in the balance.
Gasperini admitted after Juve’s draw that Atalanta’s title hopes have reached a “crossroads”, as defeat on Saturday night would leave Atalanta well off the pace.
“We are also at a crossroads in the Champions League, so if we want to aim for anything, let’s aim for that,” said Gasperini, whose side face Sturm Graz and Barcelona in successive weeks.
Support for Atalanta comes in the form of Matteo Retegui who returned strongly on Tuesday night, scoring a classic goal shortly after returning as a substitute from a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old may start on the bench on Saturday, but he will be key for Atalanta as they try to stay in touch with Napoli and gain direct qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Napoli, meanwhile, are on a five-game winning streak at the weekend, Antonio Conte’s rebuilding task having benefited from his side not being in European football in midweek due to the disastrous nature of last season’s title defence.
Conte has already mentally bid farewell to the winger wizard and star of Napoli’s historic third title, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is set to move to Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window.
With the absence of Serie A-winning coach Luciano Spalletti, Kim Min Jae, Victor Osimhen (albeit currently on loan), Piotr Zielinski and now Kvaratskhelia, a new era has officially begun at Napoli.
Potentially Conte’s biggest threat to winning Serie A with a third club is his former club Inter, although the holders’ 2-2 draw with Bologna on Wednesday left them three points off the top with a game in hand.
Inter will have French striker Marcus Thuram back from injury to play Sunday’s match at home against Empoli, but will remain without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, whose absence was evident against Bologna and in the narrow win over Venice last weekend.
Player to watch: Randall Kolo Mwani
French striker Kolo Moani could start Juventus’s home match with AC Milan on Saturday after arriving in Turin on Wednesday to complete his loan move from Paris Saint-Germain in the hope of finding regular football.
Surplus to Paris Saint-Germain’s requirements, the 26-year-old is desperately needed at fifth-placed Juventus, where injuries to Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik have left Thiago Motta’s draw specialists without a recognized striker in recent matches.
Kolo Mwani has played just 453 minutes of football this season for Paris Saint-Germain and has been frozen out by coach Luis Enrique, but is expected to play a key role in Juventus’ bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Juventus is three points ahead of seventh-placed Milan, which has a match in hand against Bologna after that match was postponed in October due to floods.
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