At 00:30 on August 20th, Serie A kicks off with a clash between Lecce and Atalanta. Lecce will host the match at their home ground.
Lecce is not considered a strong team in Serie A. In last season’s league, they secured a dismal record of 8 wins, 14 draws, and 16 losses, accumulating 38 points and finishing 14th in the table. They faced a nerve-wracking relegation battle towards the end of the season, ultimately finishing just 3 points above the drop zone. Their attacking and defensive performances were both disastrous, scoring 32 goals and conceding 54 in 38 matches.
Consequently, during the off-season, they parted ways with defensive stalwart Pongracic and brought in several players for their midfield and attack. The most notable arrival was Koulbaly from Salernitana. This suggests the team seeks improvements on both ends of the field, hoping to avoid another grueling fight for survival and achieve better results this season.
In terms of injuries, Lecce has only one player unavailable: Caba, who is expected to return in November. All other players are fit for this match.
Atalanta delivered arguably their best performance in club history last season. They secured a remarkable 21 wins, 6 draws, and 11 losses in the league, collecting 69 points to finish 4th and secure European qualification. However, they excelled even further in the Europa League, stunningly defeating unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the final to lift the trophy.
Their attacking prowess was evident in the league last season, netting a staggering 72 goals. Defensively, they also performed well, conceding only 42 goals. The team has undergone minimal changes to its squad, indicating the current setup is capable of handling most challenges. Moreover, this continuity will aid in further team cohesion.
Atalanta has three players facing significant injury setbacks: Kolasinac, Toloi, and Scamacca.
In their last 10 head-to-head encounters, Atalanta holds the upper hand with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. Last season, Atalanta defeated Lecce twice, highlighting the clear gap in strength between the two teams. Currently, Atalanta’s maintained lineup and excellent cohesion put them in a strong position, while Lecce is still undergoing adjustments. The outcome of this opening match is evident.
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