Atalanta vs Bologna Predicted Lineups: Serie A Team News

Atalanta welcome Bologna to New Balance Arena in Bergamo for a Round 2 clash in the 2026 Serie A season, with both sides looking to shape the early narrative of their campaigns. Atalanta opened with a 2-1 home win and sit 6th on 3 points, signalling another push towards the European places. Bologna, beaten 1-0 on the opening day, are 16th with 0 points and still searching for their first goal of the season.

Recent meetings between these clubs have been tight and often decisive in the race for Europe, and this fixture should be no different. Atalanta’s strong attacking output in their first game, combined with their positive historical record at home in this matchup, makes them slight favourites, but Bologna have repeatedly shown they can frustrate and upset them. With no official lineups available yet, this preview focuses on predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup for both sides based on current stats, injuries, and early-season form.

With Atalanta’s attack already firing and Bologna still adjusting in the final third, the tactical battle and team news around key absences will be crucial. Punters and fans tracking lineups today will be especially interested in how Atalanta balance their injury-hit defence and which attacking combination Bologna choose to chase a result on the road.

Atalanta Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Atalanta come into this fixture in good spirits after a 2-1 home win in their Serie A opener. Their league form string reads simply “W”, reflecting a solid start where they scored twice and conceded once. However, the defensive unit is stretched by a cluster of injuries at the back and in wide areas, which will inevitably influence the expected lineup.

Four players are ruled out: H. Ahanor (muscle injury), I. Hien (muscle injury), T. Kristensen (ankle injury), and K. Sulemana (knee injury). All are listed as missing this fixture, meaning the coaching staff must lean heavily on the remaining defenders and attackers from the squad list. Despite these setbacks, Atalanta’s attacking depth remains impressive, and the expectation is for an aggressive, front-foot setup similar in spirit to their previous match, where they used an attacking-minded shape with three forwards and dynamic midfield support.

Atalanta Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Carnesecchi
DF: M. Bakker, S. Kolašinac, O. Kossounou, G. Scalvini, D. Zappacosta, R. Bellanova
MF: Éderson, G. Gaetano, Mario Pasalic, L. Samardžić, M. de Roon
FW: C. De Ketelaere, N. Zalewski, N. Krstović, G. Raspadori, G. Scamacca

Atalanta’s predicted lineup leans on continuity in key attacking roles. In the early Serie A scoring charts, G. Raspadori and N. Krstović have both found the net once. Raspadori’s 8.3 rating from his first appearance underlines his influence as a central attacker who can both finish and drop into pockets to link play. Krstović, who scored from the bench with 1 goal, 3 shots and 2 on target in just 30 minutes, is pushing hard for a place in the starting lineup and is expected to feature prominently either from the start or as a first-change impact forward.

In midfield, G. Gaetano has already delivered an assist and produced a standout all-round display: 68 passes at 92% accuracy, 4 tackles and 1 interception in his first outing. He profiles as the creative hub and tempo controller in the centre, supported by the work rate and defensive balance of Éderson, Mario Pasalic, L. Samardžić and M. de Roon. With multiple ball-playing midfielders available, Atalanta are likely to dominate possession and progress the ball quickly into the attacking third.

At the back, the injuries to H. Ahanor, I. Hien and T. Kristensen reduce rotation options, but Atalanta still have a deep pool of defenders. A back line built around S. Kolašinac, O. Kossounou and G. Scalvini, with width provided by D. Zappacosta, R. Bellanova and M. Bakker, should allow them to defend aggressively while still committing numbers forward. Expect the wing-backs or full-backs to push high, with one of the holding midfielders dropping in to cover transitions.

Bologna Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Bologna travel to Bergamo under a little early pressure after a 1-0 home defeat in their opening Serie A match. Their league form string stands at “L”, with 0 goals scored and 1 conceded so far. The defensive numbers are not alarming, but the lack of attacking output is a concern, especially against an Atalanta side that have already scored twice at home.

In terms of absences, Bologna are without defender N. Casale, who is ruled out of this fixture with a muscle injury. Otherwise, there are no additional missing players listed, giving the coach a largely full squad to choose from. As fans look at likely lineups today, the expectation is that Bologna will retain a cautious, compact defensive block, similar to the structure they used previously, but with tweaks to inject more creativity and goal threat in the final third.

Bologna Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: Ł. Skorupski
DF: Juan Miranda, M. Vitík, T. Heggem, E. Holm, R. Alhassane, E. Helland, N. Zortea
MF: L. Ferguson, N. Moro, T. Pobega, O. El Azzouzi, M. Amondarain, L. Kusic, J. Odgaard, R. Orsolini, N. Cambiaghi
FW: F. Bernardeschi, A. Dovbyk, R. Piccoli, J. Rowe, F. Castaldo

Bologna’s predicted starting lineup is anchored by the experience of goalkeeper Ł. Skorupski and a defensive unit that will likely sit deeper than Atalanta’s, aiming to limit space between the lines. The absence of N. Casale opens the door for combinations involving M. Vitík and T. Heggem in central defence, with Juan Miranda and E. Holm strong candidates for the full-back roles. R. Alhassane and N. Zortea add further depth and flexibility in the back line.

In midfield, L. Ferguson and N. Moro are expected to provide structure and ball-winning capacity, while T. Pobega and O. El Azzouzi can support transitions with forward runs. N. Cambiaghi stands out as a high-intensity wide or attacking midfielder; he has already accumulated 3 tackles, 1 interception and 1 shot, but also picked up both a yellow card and a red card, underlining his combative style and disciplinary risk. In advanced areas, the creative and set-piece quality of F. Bernardeschi, combined with the penalty-box presence of A. Dovbyk or R. Piccoli, gives Bologna enough firepower to trouble Atalanta on counters and set plays. J. Rowe offers additional pace and direct running from wide positions.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

The injury picture is more severe for Atalanta than for Bologna and could shape the balance of the match, particularly in defensive areas. Atalanta’s absences cluster in defence and attack, forcing adjustments in both the back line and the forward rotation. Bologna, by contrast, have a more contained issue with a single defender missing.

Atalanta Absences:

• H. Ahanor — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)
• I. Hien — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)
• T. Kristensen — Ankle Injury (Missing Fixture)
• K. Sulemana — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)

Bologna Absences:

• N. Casale — Muscle Injury (Missing Fixture)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this game sets up as Atalanta’s aggressive, possession-heavy attacking shape against Bologna’s more compact, counter-attacking approach. Atalanta’s early-season numbers show 2 goals scored and 1 conceded from their single league outing, with goals arriving in the opening and middle phases of the match. Their comparison indices indicate a clear edge in attacking metrics and overall form, and their recent record suggests they will press high and look to pin Bologna back in their own half.

The key battle zones will be in central midfield and the half-spaces. With G. Gaetano orchestrating play and contributing both defensively and offensively, Atalanta can overload Bologna’s double pivot of players such as L. Ferguson and N. Moro. Out wide, the combination of attacking full-backs or wing-backs like D. Zappacosta, R. Bellanova or M. Bakker with forwards such as G. Raspadori, N. Zalewski and N. Krstović should stretch Bologna’s back line horizontally. Bologna’s best route into the game lies in quick transitions, using F. Bernardeschi’s quality on the ball and the direct running of J. Rowe or N. Cambiaghi to exploit any spaces left by Atalanta’s advanced defenders. However, with Bologna yet to score this season and having failed to register a goal in their first match, they will need to be far more clinical to take advantage of the chances that do arise.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest on the scoreboard, even if Atalanta carry the stronger attacking profile. The prediction model gives Atalanta a 45% chance of victory, the draw also at 45%, and Bologna at 10%. That, combined with Atalanta’s early win and Bologna’s opening defeat, points towards the hosts being slight but clear favourites, with a significant probability that the game remains tight.

The advice leans towards Atalanta to win in a relatively low-scoring match, and with Bologna’s attack still misfiring, a narrow home success looks the most likely outcome. Atalanta’s forward options, especially the in-form G. Raspadori and impact striker N. Krstović, give them the edge in decisive moments, while Bologna’s best hope may be to grind out a draw through disciplined defending.

Predicted Outcome: Atalanta 2–0 Bologna

How to Watch Atalanta vs Bologna Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: To be confirmed by local broadcasters closer to kickoff
• UK: To be confirmed by domestic rights holders
• USA / North America: Available via major sports streaming platforms holding Serie A rights
• South America: Check regional sports networks and streaming services for Serie A coverage
• MENA: Broadcast on regional pay-TV sports channels and associated streaming platforms