The fifth Champions League match between Young Boys and Atalanta presents a stark contrast in aspirations. For the Swiss side, currently pointless, it represents a last-ditch effort to salvage their European campaign. Atalanta, on the other hand, sits just one point away from the top eight spots, dreaming of direct qualification to the next stage.
Young Boys enter the match following a draw with Luzern, while Atalanta comes off their seventh consecutive league victory, defeating Parma. However, the home team’s defense has been decimated by injuries, whereas Gasperini’s squad is nearly at full strength, with Kolasinac, Djimsiti, and Bellanova all returning to fitness.
Manager Magnin has received a boost with Benito and Pfeiffer available for selection, at least for the bench. Gasperini, however, will be without Zappacosta on the right flank and the suspended Ederson in midfield. Scalvini has been left out of the squad due to the synthetic pitch in Bern.
In attack, Atalanta is set to deploy the goal-scoring duo of Lookman and Retegui, with the Italian international still seeking his first European goal.
Young Boys (4-4-2): Von Ballmoos; Blum, Lauper, Camara, Hadjam; Males, Ugrinic, Niasse, Monteiro; Ganvoula, Elia.
Atalanta (3-4-3): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Retegui, Lookman.
