Atalantavs.Empoli

While La Dea swept through to the Coppa Italia final by beating Fiorentina in stoppage time, their visitors have been basking in the glow of defeating former champions Napoli to inch closer to safety.

Match preview

Having seemed set for extra time following an eventful 90 minutes in Bergamo, Atalanta's semi-final tie with Fiorentina was transformed in its closing stages, as substitutes Ademola Lookman and Mario Pasalic struck to secure a 4-2 aggregate victory and a place in next month's cup final.

The Viola had bravely resisted with only 10 men for most of the second half, and even went in front against the odds, but La Dea's in-form striker Gianluca Scamacca spectacularly sparked a fightback by converting a bicycle kick, before those stoppage-time goals booked their ticket to Rome.

Veteran coach Gian Piero Gasperini therefore has the chance to taste success in the Coppa Italia final at his third attempt - Juventus will provide the opposition at Stadio Olimpico - and his side are also into the Europa League's final four, where Marseille await.

Though they have progressed in two cup competitions, Atalanta had won just one of their last seven Serie A matches before last week's game against Monza, when goals from Charles De Ketelaere and El Bilal Toure secured a win that kept them in sixth place in the table.

While still trailing behind Bologna and Roma, fifth spot would prove sufficient to secure their return to the Champions League due to Italy's UEFA club coefficient, and there are plenty of points left to play for over the final few weeks.

However, ahead of Empoli's arrival, the Bergamaschi have failed to win their last two games against teams inside the bottom half of the standings - surprisingly losing to Cagliari and drawing 2-2 with Hellas Verona.

With just one win from their last six away games against Atalanta, including a 2-1 loss in Bergamo last season, Empoli may not have history on their side this weekend - but a crucial victory last week has certainly boosted morale in the camp.

Welcoming fallen giants Napoli to Stadio Carlo Castellani, the Azzurri struck early on through Alberto Cerri's fourth-minute header, which gave them something to defend, and despite having little of the ball they ultimately held on for maximum points.

That moved Davide Nicola's men up to 15th, but their fight for survival is likely to go on for some time yet - they are only three points above 18th-placed Frosinone, as seven teams scrap to avoid filling two relegation places alongside Serie B-bound Salernitana.

Nicola is renowned for keeping struggling clubs afloat in Italy's top flight, but even since his transformative mid-season arrival, Empoli have still failed in their quest to win successive league matches for the first time in nearly a year.

Having also lost each of their last three away fixtures without scoring, toppling Atalanta represents a big ask; in a tough run-in, games against relegation rivals Frosinone and Udinese are likely to prove most vital.

Atalanta BC Serie A form:

L

D

W

L

D

W

Atalanta BC form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

W

W

Empoli Serie A form:

L

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

Although Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini has now recovered from a hamstring problem, he may not be risked ahead of their Europa League clash against Marseille; Emil Holm and Rafael Toloi both sustained injuries last week and are certainly sidelined.

With Scalvini and Toloi still absent, Isak Hien should start in the centre of La Dea's three-man defence - particularly as the Sweden international will be suspended next Thursday.

After having one thunderbolt ruled out by the VAR and then volleying home his team's second goal in midweek, Gianluca Scamacca will hope to start again: he has scored four times in three league games against Empoli and needs one more goal to reach double figures for this season.

Empoli, meanwhile, must make an enforced change in attack, as Alberto Cerri limped off with a thigh injury following his early goal against Napoli.

Stiven Shpendi, M'Baye Niang and experienced duo Francesco Caputo and Mattia Destro will therefore compete to take his place up front, with support from La Dea loanee Nicolo Cambiaghi.

Wing-back Tyronne Ebuehi (knee) is still unavailable, but Ardian Ismajli (thigh) and Alberto Grassi (muscular) could yet be passed fit to play some part in Sunday's game.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Hateboer, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Miranchuk, Lookman; Scamacca

Empoli possible starting lineup:

Caprile; Bereszynski, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Marin, Maleh, Pezzella; Zurkowski, Cambiaghi; Niang

We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Empoli

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