AS Roma vs Atalanta: De Roon reunion as perfect starts meet
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.