Roma host Atalanta in a huge Serie A clash on Saturday as Gian Piero Gasperini faces his former club with both teams chasing a third straight league victory.

Two of Serie A’s early pace-setters meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday when Roma welcome Atalanta in a fascinating clash between two teams that have won their opening two league matches. 

Both sides have six points, but the hosts have been particularly ruthless, scoring eight goals without conceding. Atalanta, meanwhile, have conceded just once and arrive in Rome with plenty of confidence of their own.

Match Preview

The biggest storyline will inevitably be Gian Piero Gasperini’s reunion with Atalanta.

Gasperini spent almost a decade in Bergamo, transforming Atalanta into one of Italy’s most exciting teams and guiding them to their first major European trophy. He left the club last summer and subsequently took charge of Roma, leading the Giallorossi to third place and Champions League qualification in his first campaign.

Now he faces the club where he built his reputation, although the emotional reunion will have little room to distract him from the task at hand.

Roma have opened the season with back-to-back 4-0 victories over Fiorentina and Lecce. Another victory would give Gasperini’s side a perfect nine points from their first three games.

If Roma are top of the early table, Donyell Malen deserves much of the credit.

The Dutch forward has scored five goals in his first two Serie A appearances this season, following a hat-trick against Fiorentina with another brace against Lecce. His partnership with Paulo Dybala has quickly become one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in the division.

Malen’s explosive form gives Atalanta a major problem. Roma have been devastating in front of goal so far, and the visitors will need to find a way to limit the space available to the former Borussia Dortmund forward.

Atalanta’s start under Maurizio Sarri has been equally encouraging.

After a difficult opening to his tenure, Sarri’s side defeated Sassuolo 2-1 before edging Bologna 1-0 thanks to a late Lazar Samardzic winner.

The results have given Atalanta a platform to build on as Sarri attempts to introduce his possession-based football. They have also already navigated their Conference League qualifying campaign successfully, meaning the squad is gaining competitive experience quickly.

Saturday will provide the clearest indication yet of whether this Atalanta side can compete with the teams expected to challenge near the top of Serie A.

Team News

Roma are expected to be without Evan Ndicka after the centre-back suffered a muscle problem during the warm-up before the victory over Lecce. His absence could see Daniele Ghilardi retain his place in the back three, although Leonardo Balerdi is another option.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is also unavailable, while Devyne Rensch remains a doubt.

Gasperini is otherwise expected to keep faith with the team that has started the campaign so impressively, with Dybala and Matias Soulé supporting Malen in attack.

Sarri has more options after Atalanta completed several late moves before the transfer window closed.

Franck Kessie and Jonathan Rowe have trained with their new teammates and could make their debuts at the Olimpico. Rowe, in particular, offers another attacking option for a team that could need pace and creativity against Roma’s aggressive defensive system.

Rasmus Kristensen has also returned to team training after recovering from an ankle injury, although he is expected to be managed carefully and may begin on the bench. Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana remain unavailable.

Despite Roma’s outstanding start, recent history favours Atalanta.

La Dea are unbeaten in their last eight Serie A meetings with Roma, while the Giallorossi have won only once in their last 12 league home games against Atalanta. The Bergamo side have also won five of the last six meetings between the clubs.

However, those numbers were largely accumulated during Gasperini’s time in charge of Atalanta. With the former coach now sitting in the opposite dugout, Saturday’s encounter could mark a new chapter in this fixture.

Prediction

Prediction: Roma 2-1 Atalanta.