Atalanta-Liverpool, where to watch it on TV. Gasp's doubts in defense

Rome, 17 April 2024 - Atalanta must complete the task. Beaten the Liverpool zero to three at Anfield, the Dea must manage the advantage in the return match scheduled for Thursday 18 April at the Gewiss Stadium. The semi-final is close, but one last effort is needed and it is certainly necessary not to give up the defeat Liverpool, who has all the qualities to make a sensational comeback. The statistics and precedents are rewarding AtalantaIn fact, in over 100 previous matches between the Europa League and the UEFA Cup, those who won the first leg with a three-goal difference have never been eliminated in the return leg. However, maximum attention and concentration will be needed, above all to prevent the Reds from finding a goal in the opening minutes, increasing their courage and reopening the game already in the first half. Among other things, Atalanta is experiencing a moment of swings in the season, because they stutter in the championship, losing to Cagliari and an immediate comeback draw against the Verona, as he flies to Europe and now cherishes the dream of reaching the end. There is also the Italian Cup, where the Bergamo team will have to overcome the one-goal deficit they suffered in Florence at home.  

Probable lineups

Still without Scalvini, Gasperini he will have to make choices in defense and the idea may be to adapt DeRoon right arm, in a rear completed by Hien e Djimsiti. In the other departments there shouldn't be any big changes with Zappacosta and Ruggeri outside midfield, Pasalic and Ederson inside, then koopmeiners finishing behind De Ketelaere and Scamacca. Klopp, unlike the first leg, will immediately put the heavy artillery in, then Salah, Nunez and Diaz up front, with Szoboszlai returning to midfield. ATALANTA (3-4-1-2): Musso; De Roon, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; De Ketelaere, Scamacca. All. Gasperini. LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Gomez, Konatè, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz. All. Klopp.  

Statistics

There is one fact that is comforting Atalanta: those who won with a three-goal difference in the first leg have never been eliminated. We start from here, from 132 previous matches between the Europa League and the UEFA Cup without anyone having succeeded in this comeback. Then there is the home factor and the Dea have lost only one match at home in the competition out of sixteen played and it dates back to the second leg of the quarterfinals with Leipzig in 2021/2022. In the event of a success for the Dea there would be victory in both matches of the Europa League in a direct elimination round from the round of XNUMX against Leverkusen in 2021/2022, while the Liverpool have not lost both matches in the competition since 1998/1999 against Sure Vigo. Atalanta's only home win, however, was against English teams Everton in September 2017 (3-0), while the only defeat came at the hands of Liverpool in November 2020 (0-5). The Reds, however, were defeated 4-1 in their last visit to Italy Napoli in September 2022. Whoever passes the round between Atalanta and Liverpool will meet the winner of Benfica-Marseille, in the first leg in Portugal the Portuguese team won by two to one with goals from Rafa Silva and Di Maria on one side and Aubameyang on the other. On the opposite side of the board the winner of Rome-Milan will face the winner of West Ham-Leverkusen.  

Gasperini's words

Maximum caution for Gian Piero Gasperini on the eve of the match. The Liverpool they remain a fearsome team even with three goals to recover, and then the Nerazzurri coach wanted to send them a move on the transfer rumors. Just to point out a few things. We start from the match, which remains difficult but can give the Goddess the historicity of the moment: "It is one of the most important matches in our history - his words - We are happy to play at home and in front of our fans, but then we will have to isolate ourselves , knowing that only the result counts. We cannot lose our attitude, spirit and mentality and we must go onto the pitch with maximum concentration." Gasp, therefore, expects a difficult match and the Liverpool he will try to raise his head: “We know the difficulty of the match despite the first leg. We start again from zero to zero and we will have to be good not to think about zero to three", Gasperini's warning. Atalanta will focus on the collective, the starters but also the substitutes will be fundamental despite Gasp having practically carefully avoided changes during the first leg: "They will all be important, each with their own role - Gasp again - We are in a good moment even if the result can change a judgment. We were certainly not the favorites a week ago and after the first leg we have a chance. I want to underline that Atalanta is leaving nothing behind in three competitions. We have great spirit and enthusiasm." And finally here is the thrust on the market. The rumors about Teun are persistent koopmeiners, especially on Juve, and Gasperini lets himself go with a clear message to everyone: "He is playing with us and very well, among other things we are in three competitions and in this period of the season there are teams that are less busy and have little to do, so these rumors are fueled. Maybe someone is wondering if it's right Atalanta both in the quarterfinals of the cup...". In short, Atalanta it exists, it keeps pace with the best both in Italy and in Europe and retains its great dignity. For years it has been considered a big name in Italian football despite the fact that there have also been profitable transfers over the seasons. Gasp and his team are close to a real miracle which would be qualifying for a Europa League semi-final. An extraordinary job and undermined by transfer rumors, not only Koopmeiners but also Gasperini (linked to Napoli).  

Where to see it on TV

Atalanta-Liverpool is scheduled for Thursday 18 April 2024 at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo with kick-off at 21.00 pm. The match will be visible on Sky channels, in particular 202 and 253, and in streaming on Dazn, Sky Go and Now TV. On Dazn the commentary will be by Stefano Borghi, while on Sky there will be Federico Zancan and Lorenzo Minotti.

MANUEL MINGUZZI