Atalanta host Bologna in Serie A clash as Sarri's tactics and De Ketelaere's return take centre stage
On Monday evening at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Maurizio Sarri's Atalanta host Domenico Tedesco's Bologna in round four of Serie A, marking the home side's fourth match in just eleven days.
A match closing out a hectic run
Atalanta welcome Bologna to Bergamo on Monday evening in the latest round of Italian Serie A. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, this is already the home side's fourth fixture in eleven days, closing out a demanding start to the season. Sarri's team approach the game in a lighter mood following Thursday's win over Hapoel Tel Aviv, which secured qualification for the Conference League — a competition Atalanta will enter for the first time, with opponents including Pafos, Ajax, Kairat, Borac, a Riga-based side and Mjallby.
Lineups and match officials
According to BBC coverage, Atalanta line up in Sarri's preferred 4-3-3 formation, while Tedesco's Bologna set up in a 4-2-3-1. The match is officiated by referee Daniele Doveri, with Federico Dionisi as VAR, Giorgio Peretti and Giuseppe Perrotti as assistant referees, Andrea Calzavara as fourth official, and Valerio Marini assisting on VAR.
De Ketelaere set for first start
Gazzetta dello Sport reports this could be the first match in which Belgian forward Charles De Ketelaere starts under Sarri, following his return from the World Cup and an adductor injury sustained in mid-August. Sarri himself said before the previous match that De Ketelaere had trained little with the squad but that quality players can still offer something extra. The report notes his output this season has so far been less prolific than in previous campaigns — 5 goals and 7 assists across all competitions so far, compared with 13 goals and 13 assists in 2024-25.
Form guide ahead of kick-off
Analysts at MrFixitsTips note that Atalanta look like a different team under Sarri, particularly defensively, although their goal-scoring output has not been especially impressive so far. Bologna, who beat Atalanta 1-0 in the same fixture last season, are said to be in considerably worse form this time and are tipped not to score at all. The site's prediction is an Atalanta win with under 2.5 total goals. Separately, prediction-market data from Robinhood shows a first-half tie priced around 42 cents, an Atalanta first-half win around 39 cents, and a Bologna first-half win around 20 cents, suggesting the hosts are seen as slight favourites for the opening 45 minutes.
Ongoing transition under Sarri
Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Atalanta are still adapting to Sarri's principles after ten years under Gian Piero Gasperini, having struggled more than expected in their opening-round win over Sassuolo before a second-half goal from Krstović settled the match. The report also mentions continued transfer activity, with the club having brought back Kessié and seen Marten de Roon depart, while reportedly still looking to add a defender following Ahanor's departure, with Cabal and Romagnoli mentioned as possible targets.
