A place in the last four is the prize as Atalanta host Bologna in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Tuesday. The Bergamo club have been a bit below their best lately but should have enough to get past Bologna, who have been unconvincing on their travels.
Having lost in the final last season, Atalanta will be keen to go one better this time around. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men were rampant in the previous round as they eased to a 6-1 victory over lower league side Cesena.
Although they have been a bit off colour lately, Atalanta remain solid at home, winning seven of their last 10 matches in all competitions at Gewiss Stadium. However, they were held to a 1-1 draw by Torino in a Serie A fixture last weekend.
Bologna were also comfortable in the previous round as they eased to a 4-0 victory over fellow Serie A side Monza. They beat Como 2-0 on Saturday but will travel to Bergamo with just three wins in their last eight matches in all competitions having played out too many draws lately.
Vincenzo Italiano’s men have earned just one win from their last seven away matches in all competitions. They have been held to draws five times in that run.
Atalanta have a 20-11 advantage with 12 draws from 43 previous matches against Bologna. However, the visitors are unbeaten in the last three meetings and earned a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in September.
Mateo Retegui returned from injury in fine form, scoring five times in the last six matches in all competitions. Charles De Ketelaere has also been among the goals lately and both men can produce over 1.5 goals for the Bergamo club.
Bologna can also hold their own going forward and will look to Santiago Castro and Benjamin Dominguez to provide the spark in attack. Both men were on target in the win over Monza and can help the visitors produce over 0.5 goals at.