Atalanta continue to face a defensive crisis, as evidenced in their recent Serie A match against Genoa where they had to adapt by moving de Roon to the backline. This adjustment, while necessary, deprives the midfield of a crucial filter. Despite manager Gasperini’s preference to maintain the team’s momentum, the international break comes at an opportune time for recovering key defensive players.
Calciomercato report how In defence, team leader Djimsiti is nursing a left hip issue, while Kossounou is dealing with a muscle problem in his left thigh. Initially thought to be cramps, Kossounou’s condition was later diagnosed as a first-degree muscle-fascial lesion of the right biceps femoris. Djimsiti is expected to return for the away match against Venezia on October 20, while Kossounou’s comeback is anticipated around late October or early November.
Toloi’s participation in the Venezia match remains doubtful due to recurring issues, but hopes are higher for left-winger Ruggeri, who could return from his left knee gonalgia in the second half of October.
Long-term absentees Scalvini and Scamacca, both recovering from cruciate ligament injuries sustained in June and August 2024 respectively, have been joined by Brescianini. The midfielder suffered a second-degree lesion to the biceps femoris of his left thigh in late September’s match against Bologna. He’s expected to be out for over a month, potentially returning for the November 10 clash with Udinese, though a full recovery after the mid-November international break seems more likely.
