Atalanta and Arsenal begin their journey in the new UEFA Champions League formation this Thursday (19). The Italians and English will face each other at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia stadium in Bergamo, Italy.
The team coached by Gian Piero Gasperini reaches the continental tournament after winning the last edition of the Europa League.
The Gunners, finalists of the 2005/06 edition, lost to Barcelona and are looking to return to being among the greats of Europe.
Compared to recent editions, the biggest news is the end of the group stage. Instead, the 36 clubs will face each other in a “league” format, with each playing eight games – half home, half away.
At the end of this phase, the eight best-placed teams will have a direct place in the round of 16 – the knockout format will be the same as the current one, with home and away matches and a single final on a neutral field. The teams that are between 9th and 24th place take part in a playoff, also with home and away games. Those that pass will advance to the round of 16.
Where to watch Atalanta vs Arsenal?
The game between Atalanta and Arsenal, for the first round of the Champions League, can be watched live on MAX (streaming).
Probable line-ups for Atalanta vs Arsenal:
For Atalanta, coach Gian Piero Gasperini will be without defenders Rafael Tolói, Ben Godfrey and Giorgio Scalvini, as well as top scorer Gianluca Scamacca, who are all injured.
- Here is Atalanta’s likely starting line-up: Carnesecchi; De Roon, Hien and Ruggeri; Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic and Zappacosta; Lookman, Samardzic and Retegui.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also has injury concerns. Right-back Tomiyasu and midfielders Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are certain to be absent, while left-backs Zinchenko and Tierney are doubtful.
- Arsenal’s likely starting line-up is: Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Timber; Partey, Rice and Trossard; Sterling, Martinelli and Havertz.