BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Mateo Retegui of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal (1-1) during the Serie A match between Atalanta and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on January 14, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Atalanta need to get back on track in 2025 as the Champions League returns and they host Sturm Graz amid an injury crisis, as Mateo Retegui starts.
It kicks off at the
It has been a rough start to 2025 for La Dea, who lost the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final to Inter, then had three consecutive Serie A draws before the 3-2 defeat to Napoli on Saturday.
Coach Gian Piero Gasperini also has limited options, because Odilon Kossounou is out for three months, with Nicolò Zaniolo and Gianluca Scamacca injured too.
Juan Cuadrado is only fit for the bench, so youth product Marco Palestra gets his first start at the age of 19, while Sead Kolasinac returns from suspension.
Austrians Sturm Graz lost five of their six Champions League games so far, but all of them have been by very narrow scorelines, including a recent 3-2 away to LOSC.
They also earned a 1-0 victory over Girona.
Max Johnston is not at 100 per cent, with top scorer Mike Biereth ineligible for this competition.
Ones to watch include Georgia international Otar Kiteishvili and striker Amady Camara.
This is Matchday 7 out of 8 in the new format of the Champions League opening phase.
Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz line-ups
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Toloi, Hien, Kolasinac; Palestra, De Roon, Pasalic, Zappacosta; Samardzic; De Ketelaere, Retegui
Sturm Graz: Scherpen; Malic, Aiwu, Wüthrich, Lavalée; Chukwuani, G Stankovic, Yalcouye; Kiteishvili; Bøving, Camara
Ref: Rumsas (LTU)
