Parma and Atalanta Face Off in Search of First Serie A Win
Get ready for an exciting clash at Stadio Tardini this Saturday evening, as Parma and Atalanta BC both hunt for their first Serie A victory of the 2025-26 season.
Parma, also known as the Crociati, kicked off their campaign with a tough 2-0 loss to Juventus, while Atalanta, or La Dea, could only manage a draw at home against newly promoted Pisa.
Just three months ago, Parma secured their top-flight spot with a thrilling 3-2 win over Atalanta on the final day of the 2024-25 season. That victory marked a high point under former coach Cristian Chivu, who has since moved to Inter Milan. Now, 30-year-old Carlos Cuesta, previously an assistant at Arsenal, is at the helm. In his debut last weekend, Cuesta became the third-youngest manager to lead a team in Italy’s top division, though his side came up short against Juventus, one of his former clubs.
Cuesta will be eager to get at least a point this week after Parma’s recent 2-0 Coppa Italia victory over Pescara, which earned them a second-round matchup with Spezia next month. Before the international break, though, Parma face a busy schedule, starting with Atalanta, followed by games against survival contenders Cagliari and Cremonese.
That May win over Atalanta snapped the Bergamo side’s run of seven consecutive Serie A victories against Parma, but Atalanta have won their last four visits to the Tardini. History might favor them, but their new coach, Ivan Juric, has big shoes to fill. Juric took over from Gian Piero Gasperini, a club legend who led Atalanta to their best-ever Serie A points total last season and secured Champions League qualification for the fifth time in seven years. Juric, coming off a rough year with Roma and Southampton, is under pressure to prove himself.
Atalanta’s summer was chaotic, with transfer market drama seeing top scorer Mateo Retegui leave and star winger Ademola Lookman pushing for a move. Last week, they struggled against Pisa, needing a goal from Gianluca Scamacca—his first since returning from a lengthy injury—to salvage a 1-1 draw at home. However, Atalanta’s away form is a bright spot, with seven wins in their last eight Serie A road games and an impressive +20 goal difference. A trip to Parma might be just what they need to kickstart their season.
Parma, meanwhile, are dealing with their own challenges. After losing star striker Ange-Yoan Bonny to Inter, his replacement, Matija Frigan, recently suffered a serious ACL injury. With Patrick Cutrone’s potential move from Como still up in the air, young striker Mateo Pellegrino, who scored twice in the Coppa Italia, is likely to lead the line. Injuries to winger Jacob Ondrejka and midfielder Hernani add to Parma’s woes, though defenders Botond Balogh and Abdoulaye Ndiaye are back from suspensions.
On the Atalanta side, Lookman’s absence looms large as he continues to push for a transfer, and defender Sead Kolasinac is also sidelined. However, key midfielder Ederson should be available after missing last week’s game. Up front, Juric can choose between new signing Nikola Krstovic—who scored and assisted against Parma last season—or the in-form Scamacca.
With both teams desperate to get their season on track, this matchup promises plenty of drama at the Tardini. Will Parma build on their home form, or will Atalanta’s road prowess shine through? Tune in to find out!
