Atalanta vs Bologna: Coppa Italia Quarterfinals Preview
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The electric Coppa Italia quarterfinal contest pits Atalanta BC against Bologna in a match promising high drama, tactical intrigue, and cutthroat competition on February 4, 2025, at Gewiss Stadium. This is a first-ever cup meeting between them, although a long history in Serie A provides ample context and anticipation for this tie. Gian Piero Gasperini will be anxious to tease another thrilling Coppa Italia run from Atalanta, while Bologna, under Vincenzo Italiano, are looking to break through into the last four for the first time since the 1998-1999 season.
There is, of course, Atalanta, with huge dollops of attacking panache and, for that matter, huge dollops of Europe coming into every match kickoff burdened with a name like this:. Of course, they do have a good Coppia Italia record, reaching the quarterfinals for five consecutive seasons. Of the last four, they have progressed into two finals, both lost, one of them that painful 2-1 defeat to Juventus in the 2020-21 season and a slender 1-0 loss last term. But Bologna are in their way, and they're going to make the nerazzurri work their money en route to finally hoisting the Coppa Italia trophy.
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Atalanta's Road to the Quarterfinals
Atalanta made quick work of Serie B side Cesena in the round of 16, winning 6-1 in a match that was thoroughly dominated by the visitors-particularly in attack. It was one-way traffic, with the win sealed in the early exchanges of the match as Davide Zappacosta gave the hosts the lead in the fourth minute, with Charles De Ketelaere and Lazar Samardzic taking over afterward to seal the comfortable victory. And that was the same in the second half of the match when Marco Brescianini added another and Samardzic got his brace; Joseph Ceesay scored for Cesena out of consolation.
The form of Atalanta in the league has been somewhat fitful of late, while their recent 1-1 draw in Serie A against Torino did have whiffs of underachievement hanging in the air. That said, however, the Bergamaschi do remain one of the more fearsome outfits in Italy and time and again have proved they can see the job at hand through when it comes to the cup. However, Gasperini will still name the best team available for this game despite not having the likes of Ademola Lookman, Giorgio Scalvini, and Odilon Kossounou, who have all been out with different injuries to the knee, shoulder, and hamstring respectively.
Bologna's Cup Campaign
So far, Bologna has been one of the surprise packages in Serie A this season, and in the Coppa Italia, it hasn't been any different. They sealed a quarterfinal place with the 4-0 thrashing of Monza as Tommaso Pobega, Riccardo Orsolini, Benjamín Domínguez, and Santiago Castro found their way into the net. That extended Bologna's unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches as they have picked up three wins and four draws within that period.
Meanwhile, Bologna has enjoyed a fairly decent season in Serie A, lying comfortably in mid-table with just one defeat in their last seven league outings. The main man for Bologna will be Vincenzo Italiano, whose tactically shrewd methods have turned Bologna into an ultra-resilient and organized side; it is hoped that this oozing form can transcend to the high-stakes cup game.
Injured, though they are, with Lewis Ferguson the most noticeable absentee with a hamstring injury, Bologna are nonetheless made up of some quality that gives headache moments to any opposition. Riccardo Orsolini is otherwise an excellent performer this season, a doubt for this clash as he was absent for their last three appearances due to such a problem and will be hoped to make some difference on the pitch.
Recent Head to Head: Atalanta vs Bologna
Traditionally, going all the way back, in the last 41 Serie A games between both clubs, Atalanta come out on top 19 times while Bologna win only a paltry 10, 12 have been draws. If recent league clashes are considered instead though, there's been much change in their fortune. Of their last four meetings in Serie A, Atalanta have not beaten Bologna, losing three and managing just a draw - that erratic record is one which will most definitely be at the back of Gasperini and his men going into this cup tie.
While Atalanta have been dominant in domestic cup competitions in recent years, Bologna’s ability to stifle them in league encounters shows that the Red and Blues have the tactical discipline to frustrate Atalanta’s attacking flair. Gasperini’s men will need to be at their very best to break down Bologna’s defensive setup and convert their chances when they arise.
Key Players to Watch
The Argentine forward is the main man in this game and top scorer for Atalanta this season. He has been in scintillating form and will be very important with his clinical finishing in a game where every goal counts. He will be required to take even more responsibility in attack with Lookman and Scalvini out of the tie. He's been great since Charles De Ketelaere came in. He would want that running his side, bringing much-needed creativity for Atalanta in the final third.
He mostly never misses the lineup, plays midfield, and could be importantly used in this kind of above-mentioned transition of play for Marten de Roon. It appeared like he caught fair moments to intervene when other teams are on an attack over his deck, did manage to keep a decent enough record of hooking up in the game the moment he probably felt it got well-contested in the centre of the pitch.
But going through all the lot, he was undoubtedly one striking figure from them all as Riccardo Orsolini this season comes in for Bologna. His flair and direct running have surely caused a great headache for many a Serie A defense. If fit enough, he is definitely one source of creativity for wide Bologna, switching attacks from back and vice-versa. He's having a great run in midfield this season with Bologna and is expected to cause plenty of trouble in midfield as Bologna aim to quickly go on counters against Atalanta.
Team News
Aside from them, Lookman, Scalvini, and Kossounou are all ruled out to be out with injury. That notwithstanding, still, Gasperini will have a strong outfit as he always has, given his key star in attacking areas in Retegui and De Ketelaere, and there's keeper Rui Patricio, with his second so-far solitary Atalanta outing back into that Cup appearance but was with fifteen minutes left in regulation in.
The hosts will be without some headlining players of Ferguson as hamstring issues cast the selection headache, while Orsolini is the question mark for this game as well, and if he plays it, can turn around everything in Bologna. All other look good for the competition as Vincenzo Italiano would wish to see his new added playing members in Pobega and Castro as the difference-makers in the game.
Indeed, this will be an exciting Coppa Italia quarter match between Atalanta and Bologna, who has much to prove, with both teams seeking much-needed results; both are good enough to keep decent form lately, each set to go head-to-head against each other today, and no doubt this should be an evenly contested one. Home side advantage will go to Atalanta, but Bologna can be quite resilient via its tactical disciplining that should allow them to fight hard. This is one cup tie that is certainly not to be missed with lots at stake here.
Will Atalanta go on with a good Coppa Italia tradition and make it through to yet another semifinal, or will Bologna cause an upset and find themselves for the first time in over two decades in the final four? One thing is for sure: this will indeed be a true test of wit, skill, and will.