Milan-Atalanta Preview: Leftover Bologna

Riding the wave of three wins in a row, Milan face a new challenge in their house on Saturday in the form of La Dea, or The Goddess. Atalanta haven’t exactly been playing like a goddess, though, coming off of being blanked by Donadoni’s 18th place Bologna 3-0 last week. Their form is good enough to have them still in eighth place, but that is miraculously below sixth place Milan. And while they were disgraced by Bologna last week, they will undoubtedly be determined to not to be made a meal of again. So beware of Atalanta, also known as leftover Bologna.

The Punisher

Atalanta are playing as one would expect this season, making mincemeat of the teams below them and being creamed by most of the bigger teams. Well except Lazio, they did beat Lazio the week before their Bolognese humiliation. Against Bologna, Reja lined up Sportiello; Stendardo, Masiello, Bellini, Paletta; de Roon, Carmona, Kurtic; D’Alessandro, Gomez, and Denis. And yes, that is our old Paletta, the one who wanted a first team spot, so abandoned us for Atalanta. Additionally, we always have to worry about the threat of German Denis, and perhaps also Pinilla. But we won’t have to worry about Suagher, who is out with a long-term injury. Dramé and Estigarribia are also doubts as to fitness, but will likely play as of this writing.

Mihajlovic, on the other hand, will be paying a high price for our victory against Lazio on Sunday. Bonaventura is out suspended for card accumulation. And Bertolacci has been ruled out, I assume Montolivo and Alex will be as well, although I have not heard for certain yet. Also, Abate is still injured. Additionally, Diego Lopez has been suffering from a knee problem for some time and will have to sit out for a while to let it heal. Balotelli is still not back in action yet, and we know Menez will be out until at least January if not February. There is some doubt about both Bacca and Cerci, but I expect them both to be fit. And Niang was on the bench for Lazio, here’s hoping he is able to play a cameo and get a few minutes at least, especially with so many others out.

Will we see a little Niang in this match?

So if you look at this match and think “easy win,” think again. They may be below us on the table now, but only just, and after being served some cold lunchmeat  last week, they will be ready to have a hot performance against Milan on Saturday. We are missing so many starters that it is hard to imagine that we can replicate last week’s performance, let alone get a fourth consecutive win. In fact, we’ll be lucky to not play like last week’s leftover bologna.

This post inspired by the music of Lush’s “Ladykillers”

Milan vs. Atalanta

Saturday, November 7 • 20:45 CET (2:45pm EST)

This match will be shown LIVE on RAI and BeIN Sports

Callups for Saturday:

GOALKEEPERS: Abbiati, Donnarumma, Livieri (97)

DEFENDERS: Antonelli, Calabria, De Sciglio, Rodrigo Ely, Mexes, Romagnoli, Zapata

MIDFIELDERS: De Jong, Josè Mauri, Kucka, Montolivo, Nocerino, Poli, Suso

FORWARDS: Bacca, Cerci, Honda, Luiz Adriano, Niang

Official Lineups:

Milan (4-3-3): Donnarumma; De Sciglio, Mexes, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Kucka, Montolivo, Poli; Cerci, Bacca, Niang

Milan bench: Abbiati, Livieri, Calabria, Ely, Zapata, De Jong, Jose Mauri, Nocerino, Suso, Honda, Luiz Adriano

Atalanta (4-3-3): Sportiello; Raimondi, Paletta, Toloi, Dramè; Grassi, De Roon, Cigarini; Maxi Moralez, Pinilla, Gomez

Atalanta bench: Bassi, Masiello, Iacopin, Bellini, Conti, Brivio, Stendardo, Migliaccio, Carmona, Kurtic, D'Alessandro, Denis