Coppa Italia: Atalanta vs Cesena

CAGLIARI, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Nicolò Zaniolo of Atalanta celebrates his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari and Atalanta at Sardegna Arena on December 14, 2024 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Gian Piero Gasperini will change his Atalanta squad for a Coppa Italia match against Cesena, starting 19-year-old talent Marco Palestra, experienced goalkeeper Rui Patricio and Nicolò Zaniolo at centre-forward.

It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Matteo Ruggeri, Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca are injured, while Juan Cuadrado is suspended for La Dea.

Several sources, including Sky Sport Italiaclaims Rui Patricio will start in goal and Nicolò Zaniolo will get the nod as a lone striker, supported by Marco Brescianini and Lazar Samardzic.

Marten de Roon and Ederson are battling for a starting spot in central midfield, with one of them joining Mario Pasalic.

Gasperini is expected to start new talent Palestra on the right wing, with Davide Zappacosta on the opposite flank.

The winner will meet Bologna in the quarter-finals in February.

Atalanta vs Cesena – where to watch on TV

The match will be shown live on Premier Sports 1 in the UK and Paramount+ in the US. The game is also available for free in Italy on Italia Uno.

Atalanta vs Cesena – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Rui Patricio; Toloi, Djimsiti, Kossounou; Palestra, de Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic, Brescianini; Zaniolo.

Cesena (3-5-2): Pissery; Curto, Ciofi, Pieraccini; Adamo, Francesconi, Mendicino, Bastoni, Celia; Van Hooijdonk, Silent.