The Italian Serie A season is still in its infancy, but the stakes are already high as Atalanta welcome Lecce to the Gewiss Stadium. This is more than just a regular fixture; it's a critical moment for two teams with very different but equally pressing goals. For Atalanta, under new manager Ivan Juric, this is a must-win game to finally secure their first victory of the campaign and demonstrate they can maintain their place among Italy’s elite. For Lecce, it's a chance to build on their hard-fought points and prove they can cause an upset against a team expected to challenge for European spots. This clash of styles and ambitions promises to be a fascinating encounter, with both teams desperate to gain momentum in the early part of the season.
Recent Form and Team News: A Mixed Bag of Results
Atalanta’s start to the season has been underwhelming. They are yet to register a win, having drawn their first two matches 1-1 against promoted side Pisa and then Parma. While these results might seem innocuous, they have raised concerns among fans and pundits about the team’s ability to adapt to the new manager's system. The departure of long-serving and successful coach Gian Piero Gasperini was a significant moment for the club, and the pressure is on his successor, Ivan Juric, to deliver. On the personnel front, Atalanta will be without several key players due to injury, including Gianluca Scamacca and Sead Kolasinac. The situation is further complicated by the recent controversy surrounding Ademola Lookman, who reportedly refused to train. While he has since been reintegrated into the squad, it is highly unlikely he will feature in the starting lineup. The team will be looking to their new signings to step up and fill the void.
Lecce’s recent form has also been mixed. They have secured a crucial point in a goalless draw against Genoa, but they also suffered a 2-0 defeat to AC Milan. While the Milan defeat was a difficult pill to swallow, they did show resilience in holding out for over an hour before conceding. This ability to frustrate bigger teams will be a key part of their strategy against Atalanta. Lecce's main problem so far has been their inability to score, having failed to find the back of the net in their first two league matches. The team will be looking to break their goal drought, and with no new injury concerns, manager Eusebio Di Francesco will have a full squad to choose from. He will be relying on his team's defensive grit and counter-attacking prowess to surprise their formidable opponents.
Tactical Analysis: Atalanta's Relentless Attack vs. Lecce's Defensive Grit
The tactical battle promises to be a classic contrast of styles. Atalanta, under Juric, is expected to continue with the club's signature 3-4-2-1 formation. This system is designed to provide attacking width and numerical superiority in the final third. The wing-backs, such as Davide Zappacosta and Raoul Bellanova, will be crucial in both attack and defense, pushing high up the pitch to support the forwards. The midfield duo of Marten de Roon and Mario Pasalic will be tasked with controlling the tempo, breaking up opposition attacks, and making late runs into the box. With the absence of key attacking players, the onus will be on the likes of Charles De Ketelaere and Nikola Krstovic to be clinical in front of goal. Atalanta's plan will be to dominate possession and use their relentless pressing to force errors and create chances.
Lecce’s game plan will be focused on frustrating Atalanta. Manager Eusebio Di Francesco will likely set up his team in a compact and disciplined 4-3-3 formation. Their primary goal will be to absorb pressure and shut down the space for Atalanta's creative players. The midfield trio will be tasked with a monumental job of screening the back four and preventing Atalanta from building attacks from the center of the pitch. When they win the ball, Lecce will look to transition quickly, using the pace of their wingers to hit Atalanta on the counter-attack. Set pieces could also be a major weapon for Lecce, offering a direct route to goal against a team that will likely dominate open-play possession.
Key Players to Watch
For Atalanta, the creative responsibility will fall largely on the shoulders of Charles De Ketelaere. The young Belgian has been a bright spot in a challenging start to the season. His versatility, excellent link-up play, and technical ability make him a constant threat in the final third. With Gianluca Scamacca and Ademola Lookman out, De Ketelaere will need to be at his very best, not only to create chances but also to find the back of the net. His duel with Lecce’s central defenders will be one of the game's key individual battles.
On the visitors' side, the midfield general Ylber Ramadani will be the lynchpin of their team. The Albanian international is a tireless presence in the midfield, excelling at breaking up opposition attacks and distributing the ball with precision. His work rate, tactical awareness, and ability to win duels in the center of the park will be crucial in disrupting Atalanta's rhythm. If Ramadani can effectively shield his defense and keep Atalanta's midfielders in check, he could provide his team with the platform to cause a major upset.
Head-to-Head History: A Dominance to Uphold
The historical rivalry between these two teams has been dominated by Atalanta. In their last eleven encounters, Atalanta has secured seven wins, while Lecce has managed only two victories, with two matches ending in a draw. The most recent meetings have also gone in Atalanta’s favor, including a 1-1 draw in April 2025 and a decisive 4-0 win in August 2024. While these results suggest a clear favorite, Lecce’s victories against Atalanta in 2023 show they are more than capable of causing an upset. This historical context will be a psychological factor, with Atalanta confident in their ability to secure a victory at home.
Prediction
While Lecce’s defensive resilience cannot be underestimated, the overall quality and attacking talent of Atalanta are likely to be too much to handle. The home side is desperate for a win, and the pressure will be on them to perform. Despite their injury woes, Atalanta’s tactical cohesion and superior squad depth should be enough to secure a hard-fought victory. Lecce will put up a brave fight, but their lack of firepower and susceptibility to relentless pressure will likely be their undoing. We predict a 2-0 victory for Atalanta, a result that would provide a much-needed boost to their confidence and kickstart their season.
