Atalanta Vs Como

Atalanta BC will turn their focus back to Serie A as they prepare to face newly-promoted Como on Monday evening at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. Fresh from their European clash against Premier League giants Arsenal, the Nerazzurri are aiming to build momentum and secure a much-needed victory against the winless visitors. This encounter marks a continuation of Atalanta's busy schedule, as they look to climb the Serie A table after a thrilling start to their domestic campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini's side had an intense showdown with Arsenal in their midweek Champions League group-stage opener. While the game ended 0-0, it was far from a dull affair, especially for the Bergamo-based side, who may feel they missed out on a golden opportunity to claim all three points. The match was defined by tight tactical battles, with both teams demonstrating discipline and determination. Atalanta had their moments of dominance, particularly in the first half, but were unable to break the deadlock against Mikel Arteta's side.

A standout moment came when Atalanta's forward Mateo Retegui stepped up to take a penalty that could have given them the edge. Unfortunately for La Dea, Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya was in exceptional form, saving not one but two penalty attempts from Retegui. Despite the frustration of missing out on a win, Atalanta can take pride in their defensive stability, as goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi also made a crucial save to keep Arsenal at bay. The Nerazzurri earned a valuable point in their return to Europe’s elite competition after winning the Europa League last season.

This result came just days after Atalanta’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Fiorentina in Serie A, a match that epitomized their fighting spirit. Despite falling behind twice, Gasperini's men mounted a brilliant comeback, with Ademola Lookman netting the decisive goal in first-half stoppage time. The win took Atalanta to six points from their first four Serie A matches, as they continue to aim for a place among Italy’s elite clubs this season.

Atalanta’s domestic form has been marked by attacking fluidity and relentless pressure on their opponents. The team is currently second only to Fiorentina in terms of shots on target this season, and they boast the highest Expected Goals (xG) statistic in the league at 7.89. This indicates that they are creating high-quality chances regularly, even if their finishing has not always matched their creativity.

Much of their attacking prowess comes from their versatility in the final third. Atalanta has long been known for their intricate passing and fluid movement under Gasperini, but this season they have added another weapon to their arsenal: headed goals. The Nerazzurri have already scored four goals via headers this campaign, highlighting their ability to adapt and find new ways to break down opponents. 

With Lookman leading the charge alongside Retegui, Atalanta has the firepower to overwhelm any defence, and their upcoming match against Como presents an opportunity to secure back-to-back wins for the first time this season. Historically, Atalanta has dominated this fixture when playing at home, going unbeaten in eight Serie A home games against Como. Although it has been more than two decades since these teams last met in Italy's top flight, Atalanta will be confident of maintaining their strong record against the Lariani.

### Como’s Struggles Since Promotion

While Atalanta prepares for another assault on the top spots in Serie A, Como finds itself at the opposite end of the spectrum. The club, managed by former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fàbregas, has endured a tough start to life back in Serie A following their promotion from Serie B last season. The Lariani currently sit in 18th place in the standings, having failed to secure a single victory in their opening fixtures.

Como’s return to Serie A was preceded by an early exit from the Coppa Italia, where they were knocked out by Serie B side Sampdoria, further compounding their disappointing start to the campaign. Since then, they have managed to collect just one point from their first four league games, which came in a draw away from home. Due to renovation work at their Stadio Sinigaglia, Como was forced to play their first three league fixtures away, adding to the difficulty of their transition to the top flight.

Last week, Como finally played their first home match of the season but were left ruing missed opportunities as they let a two-goal lead slip in the closing stages of their encounter with Bologna. An own goal and a second-half strike from former Italy international Patrick Cutrone had put Como in a commanding position, but a late collapse saw them settle for a draw, leaving Fàbregas and his team frustrated.

Despite their winless start, Como will not be heading to Bergamo without hope. Their manager, Cesc Fàbregas, has brought a fresh tactical approach to the team, focusing on possession-based football and trying to emulate the fluid style he experienced during his playing days in Spain. However, translating that philosophy into points on the board has proven to be a challenge so far. Como has struggled to maintain concentration for the full 90 minutes, as evidenced by their late-game collapse against Bologna.

For Atalanta, this match presents an opportunity to exploit Como's defensive vulnerabilities, particularly late in the game. Gasperini's side is known for their high-tempo pressing and relentless attacking, which could wear down Como’s less experienced squad. The Lariani’s defence has shown fragility under pressure, and against Atalanta's dynamic attack, they will need to be at their absolute best to avoid a heavy defeat.

Key players like Lookman, Retegui, and midfield dynamo Teun Koopmeiners will be pivotal for Atalanta, with Gasperini likely to emphasize quick transitions and set-piece efficiency. Como’s defenders will need to be particularly wary of Atalanta’s aerial threat, as the home side has demonstrated their effectiveness in scoring from crosses and dead-ball situations.

Atalanta and Como share a long-standing rivalry in Italian football, though their paths have diverged significantly over the past two decades. The last time these two sides met in Serie A was 21 years ago, when Como was last in the top flight. Despite their current struggles, Como holds a surprising edge in the historical head-to-head record, with seven wins compared to Atalanta's five across 19 previous Serie A meetings.

However, the context of those matches is vastly different from today’s situation. Atalanta has emerged as a consistent contender for European football in recent years, while Como has spent most of the last two decades bouncing between the lower leagues of Italian football. The Lariani’s return to Serie A is a remarkable achievement, but they face a steep learning curve if they are to stay competitive at this level.

For Atalanta, the focus remains on balancing their domestic and European commitments. With a hectic fixture schedule ahead, Gasperini will need to carefully manage his squad to ensure they remain competitive on all fronts. A win against Como would provide a much-needed boost as they look to climb into the top half of the Serie A table and continue their push for Champions League qualification.

As for Como, survival in Serie A is the primary objective this season. While they are unlikely to pick up points in Bergamo, Fàbregas will be keen to see his team put in a disciplined performance that can serve as a foundation for future matches. The Lariani will need to learn quickly if they are to avoid an immediate return to Serie B, but with experienced players like Cutrone in their ranks, they will hope to find their feet soon.

Monday’s encounter at the Gewiss Stadium brings two teams with contrasting fortunes face to face. Atalanta, buoyed by their European exploits and domestic resilience, will look to continue their winning ways, while Como, still searching for their first win of the season, face an uphill battle. Despite the historical edge in head-to-head matchups, the current form and quality of both teams suggest that Atalanta are firm favourites to take all three points.

Gasperini's side has shown flashes of brilliance in both Serie A and the Champions League, and a victory on Monday could propel them toward a successful campaign. For Como, even a competitive performance could provide a silver lining as they navigate the challenges of top-flight football. Regardless of the result, this match promises to offer plenty of intrigue as two clubs with rich histories meet once again on the Serie A stage.