Bergamo in celebration: Atalanta close to Champions League against Ranieri's Roma

This evening Bergamo could still celebrate (but it would be sober as a sign of respect for the recent mourning of Riccardo Claris, the fan killed nine days ago) for the fifth qualification in Champions, for third place and for the eighth European qualification in nine years. Many goals, with only one success. In the middle the Roma, beaten 2-0 in the first leg at the Olimpico with goals from De Roon and Zaniolo, when the team from the capital was still suffering in the relegation zone, but was showing the first signs of recovery, after just a week of treatment guaranteed by Claudio Ranieri. Six months later, Lupa is racing towards Europe, sixth with 63 points after a stellar streak of 18 consecutive useful results, with 31 goals scored and just 9 conceded in a great 2025 of relaunch. Yet another miracle performed by 'Sir Claudio', who now, to complete it, needs a success in Bergamo, to overtake Juventus and Lazio and climb alone to fourth place with 66 points. An overtaking that would prove decisive with two days to go.

Difficult though, because tonight the Goddess, third at 68, is not giving any discounts and wants to celebrate. In reality, a draw would be enough for the Bergamo team to secure third place, rising to 69 and putting five points ahead of Juve and the two Roman teams, with two more match points next Sunday on the Genoa pitch and then at home against Parma. But the Nerazzurri, after a healthy streak of three wins and one draw, want to close the accounts as soon as possible. There are many absentees on both sides, inevitably reshuffled lineups and last energies to squeeze out. A challenge within a challenge between Gasperini and Ranieri: in recent years Gasp has almost always won, when the coach from Trastevere was coaching Sampdoria and Cagliari, but last spring it was the former Leicester coach who prevailed with the Sardinians, in the only spring defeat for the Goddess. A match with many exes (Toloi among the Nerazzurri, Gollini, Mancini and Cristante among the Giallorossi) and particular for the possible summer market clashes: because from Urbe rumors continue to bounce of a concrete interest from Lupa to entrust the next bench to Gasperini, despite Ranieri's public denial a month ago on the matter.

Probable formation (3-4-1-2): Carnesecchi; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kossounou; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; Pasalic; Retegui, De Ketelaere. Coach Gasperini.