Coppa Italia Round of 16 official line-ups and updates

BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid CF at Stadio di Bergamo in December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini has named a surprisingly strong starting XI for Wednesday night Coppa Italia 16th game against Serie B outfit Cesena, including Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui alongside Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic in attack.

Kick-off is set at 17.30 GMT.

A reminder: This game goes straight to penalty kicks if the result is even after 90 minutes. There will be no extra time.

This will be Atalanta’s first match in the competition in 2024-25. La Dea went all the way to the final in 2023-24 but were beaten by Juventus in Massmiliano Allegri’s last game in charge of the club.

Cesena, meanwhile, have already eliminated Serie A opposition Hellas Verona in the first round of the 2024-25 Coppa Italia, and have also gone past Pisa, who currently sit second in Serie B.

Gasperini has named an experienced back three with club captain Rafael Toloi alongside regulars Isak Hien and Berat Djimsiti.

A recognizable midfield pairing of Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic will start on Wednesday night behind an attacking trident of Samardzic, De Ketelaere and Retegui.

Atalanta vs. Cesena: Confirmed lineups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Toloi, Hien, Djimsiti; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic; The Ketelaere, Retegui.

Cessna (5-3-2): Pissery; Ciofi, Piacentini, Pieraccini, Celia, Bastoni; Mendicino, Adamo, Tavsa; Kargbo, Van Hooijdonk.