Back-to-back wins have kept Roma in the thick of Serie A's top-four race and seen them progress in the Europa League, and they now aim to keep one of their close rivals at arm's length by beating Atalanta BC on Monday.

The teams convene at the Gewiss Stadium, separated by seven points after La Dea were held to a draw by Fiorentina last week, while the visitors will be buoyed by a miraculous midweek success.

Match preview

Though it took a late equaliser and two further goals in extra time, Roma squeezed through to the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday, by overturning a first-leg deficit against Feyenoord and booking a last-four date with Bayer Leverkusen next month.

The Eredivisie leaders had their European dreams ended by Jose Mourinho's men for a second season running - Roma came out on top in last year's Europa Conference League final - as Paulo Dybala's introduction from the bench played a huge role in turning the tie on its head.

Having won a third straight Serie A game without conceding a few days earlier, the Giallorossi are on course to take one of at least four Champions League spots available - victory for either Inter or Milan in this term's competition could open up a fifth place - but they are also closing in on more continental silverware and booking qualification via the Europa League route.

After previously missing a penalty at De Kuip, Lorenzo Pellegrini redeemed himself by scoring the second goal in a 3-0 victory over Udinese last week, and his strike which sealed Thursday night's success will now see Roma's skipper travel north on a high.

Without kicking a ball, though, the capital club's grip on third place was loosened by this week's decision to overturn a 15-point penalty for Juventus, so they now sit fourth in the table - just ahead of the Milan clubs and Monday's opponents.

Roma may have won just three of their last 16 league meetings with Atalanta - a run including September's 1-0 loss at Stadio Olimpico - but on their last visit to Bergamo they emerged 4-1 victors, with Tammy Abraham both opening and closing the scoring.

A mediocre 2023 continued for Atalanta last time out, when they were unable to hold onto a lead in Tuscany and had to settle for a point against Fiorentina.

After wins over Serie A strugglers Empoli and Cremonense, La Dea had gone down 2-0 at home to Bologna in their previous fixture, and as a result of another stumble - plus Juve's reprieve - they now occupy seventh spot in the standings.

Gian Piero Gasperini and co could therefore be facing a second straight season without European football, but having collected just 14 points across 11 matches in the second half of the season that should come as no real surprise.

Atalanta's lack of firepower since the World Cup has hampered hopes of improving on last year's league finish, and they have averaged under one goal per game over their last four home games ahead of Roma's arrival.

Rookie striker Rasmus Hojlund may have claimed a place among Europe's hottest properties with his mid-season exploits, but he has inevitably tailed off of late, while Colombian duo Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata have managed just two league goals between them. As Roma boast one of Calcio's meanest defences, that could prove a major problem on Monday.

Team News

After readying Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham in time to face Feyenoord, after both men were injured in the first leg, Roma will now have to pay the price of victory on Thursday.

Chris Smalling and Georginio Wijnaldum were withdrawn at Stadio Olimpico and could now miss the trip to Bergamo, while Ola Solbakken and Rick Karsdorp remain unavailable.

Roger Ibanez should return to the visitors' back three, possibly standing in for Smalling, while Abraham will replace Andrea Belotti - who has yet to score a Serie A goal this season.

Atalanta, meanwhile, have concerns regarding the fitness of Ademola Lookman (thigh) and Mario Pasalic (ankle), and Matteo Ruggeri joins long-term absentee Hans Hateboer in certainly missing out on Monday.

After first-choice goalkeeper Juan Musso was unexpectedly dropped against Fiorentina, it remains to be seen whether the Argentinian stopper will regain his place at Marco Sportiello's expense.

With Lookman unavailable, Duvan Zapata and Rasmus Hojlund should join forces up front.

Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Sportiello; Toloi, Scalvini, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Maehle; Koopmeiners; Hojlund, Zapata

Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Ibanez, Llorente; Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham

We say: Atalanta BC 0-1 Roma

Roma's total of nine victories without conceding in 2023 is a record equalled only by city rivals Lazio and champions-elect Napoli. In short, Mourinho's men know how to get the job done.

A combination of their resilience and Atalanta's goal woes should see the visitors return to the capital with maximum points, all but ending their hosts' hopes of Champions League qualification.


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