Atalanta’s defensive lineup is set for a shake-up as they prepare to face Torino in their upcoming Serie A fixture. Isak Hien, who recently returned from suspension, is expected to maintain his position in the back three, providing some stability amidst the team’s defensive woes.
The Bergamo-based club are grappling with several injury concerns following their midweek Champions League encounter with Barcelona. Sead Kolasinac suffered a dislocated shoulder, while Giorgio Scalvini was also forced off the pitch. Adding to their defensive troubles, Odilon Kossounou remains sidelined.
Atalanta’s attacking options are equally limited, with Ademola Lookman out of action until late February and Gianluca Scamacca still on the road to recovery. This situation likely means Charles De Ketelaere will continue to partner with the prolific Mateo Retegui in the forward line.
Retegui, currently leading the Serie A scoring charts, has been in exceptional form this season. The Argentine striker has notched multiple goals in four different matches, including three braces and a hat-trick. His goal-scoring exploits are second only to Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski across Europe’s top five leagues.
Torino, meanwhile, will be relying on their Scottish forward Che Adams, who has found the net seven times in Serie A this season. Adams, who scored on his league debut against Atalanta, is now just three goals shy of equaling the Scottish record in Italy’s top flight, a benchmark set by Denis Law for Torino in 1962.
The visitors will welcome back Ali Dembele from suspension, but their injury list remains substantial. Mergim Vojvoda and Ivan Ilic join long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and former Atalanta player Duvan Zapata on the sidelines. There’s a possibility that recent Serie A returnee Eljif Elmas, formerly of Napoli, could make an appearance from the bench.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Pasalic; Retegui
Torino (4-2-3-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Pedersen, Maripan, Coco, Sosa; Ricci, Gineitis; Lazaro, Vlasic, Karamoh; Adams
