AS Roma vs Atalanta

AS Roma host Atalanta in Serie A’s third round on Saturday evening, with both clubs looking to protect perfect starts. Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma crushed Fiorentina 4-0 on opening weekend, while Maurizio Sarri’s Atalanta edged Sassuolo 2-1 and then progressed in the Conference League, making this an early-season clash of two in-form sides.

Team News and Injury Latest

Roma will be without key midfield creator Lorenzo Pellegrini and full-back Devyne Rensch, both sidelined by thigh and flexor issues. Wing-back Nahuel Molina has shaken off a knock and is available, pushing young Emanuele Lulli for the right-sided role. There is a late concern in central defence: Evan Ndicka missed the warm-up against Lecce with an adductor problem and remains a doubt, meaning summer arrival Leonardo Balerdi or Daniele Ghilardi could partner Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso in the back three. Deadline-day signing Marten De Roon joined from Atalanta and is expected to start in midfield against his old club.

Atalanta’s injury list is longer. Giorgio Scalvini sprained an ankle in the Conference League tie against Hapoel Tel Aviv and joins Isak Hien (hamstring), Kamaldeen Sulemana (knee) and Thomas Kristensen (thigh) on the sidelines. Mitchel Bakker is absent as he finalises a transfer, while Nicolò Casale is a doubt after sitting out the opener. Giacomo Raspadori and Nikola Krstović, who scored against Sassuolo, will lead Sarri’s attack again.

Roma Form Guide

Roma’s 4-0 demolition of Fiorentina showcased their firepower. Donyell Malen netted a clinical hat-trick, each goal crafted by Paulo Dybala, while teenage midfielder Niccolò Pisilli capped the win late on. The result extended Roma’s Serie A winning streak to six matches, a run that began at the end of last season and includes five clean sheets. New signing Rodrigo Mora impressed on his first competitive start, and €35 million striker Santiago Castro made his debut off the bench, adding depth to Gasperini’s options.

Atalanta Form Guide

Maurizio Sarri’s competitive debut as Atalanta coach brought a 2-1 win over Sassuolo, with Raspadori and Krstović on target. They followed that by securing Conference League group-stage qualification against Hapoel Tel Aviv, meaning they arrive in Rome three competitive matches deep and still unbeaten. Sarri now has the chance to become the first Atalanta manager since 1949 to win his first two league fixtures, a piece of history that adds extra motivation.

Key Battle: De Roon Faces Former Club

Marten De Roon’s surprise deadline-day switch from Bergamo to the capital sets up an immediate reunion. The Dutch midfielder was a mainstay at Atalanta and knows Sarri’s system intimately, so his reading of the game could be pivotal in breaking up Atalanta’s midield rhythm. How he handles the emotion of facing former teammates while anchoring Roma’s engine room will go a long way toward deciding where the points end up.

What Comes Next

Both sides see this as an early opportunity to lay down a marker in the Serie A race. Roma travel to Lecce in round four, while Atalanta return home to face Bologna, but first they must navigate a contest that pits a long winning run against a coach chasing a club record on his new touchline.