Gasperini hints at Atalanta tactical experiment amid injury crisis with Milan | OneFootball

Gian Piero Gasperini hints at his rather unusual Atalanta starting XI against Milan amid an injury crisis. ‘The victory against Bologna means even more considering what they did to Inter.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Bologna vs. Inter on the Liveblog.

La Dea ended their crisis last week with a 2-0 victory over Bologna, which allowed them to hold onto third place, but the pressure is still on for those Champions League spots.

The line-up is a little confusing, with Davide Zappacosta seemingly in the back three, although it might prove to be anyone from Marten de Roon to Juan Cuadrado there instead.

“Kossounou and Toloi are coming off injuries, especially Kossounou needs more time to be ready, as he had some complicated surgery,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“I hope to have the chance to bring him on, and Toloi had a few problems this week too, but the Atalanta jersey is tattooed on his back and he is ready to play, just not from the start.”

Gasperini forced to revamp Atalanta back three

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli is challenged by Matteo Ruggeri of Atalanta as Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of Atalanta, looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Napoli at Gewiss Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Sead Kolasinac underwent knee ligament surgery and is out for five to six months, joining Giorgio Scalvini, Stefan Posch, Gianluca Scamacca and Marco Palestra on the treatment table.

Bologna beat Inter at the last minute today with a sensational Riccardo Orsolini scissor-kick volley, a result that both puts Napoli joint top of the table, and opens up the race for the top four yet again.

“We are up there, now we will focus on our own journey. It will be very important, it’s an extraordinary campaign with so many teams in a few points, battling for the Europa League and Champions League,” continued Gasperini.

“Our path has been extraordinary so far, including ninth place in the Champions League table, getting points against Barcelona and Arsenal. Now we want to keep it going for these final weekends of the Serie A season.

“The victory we managed against Bologna last week now means even more considering what they did to Inter today.”