Atalanta are set to begin their Conference League campaign against Cypriot side Pafos tonight, but will do so without seven key players. Raoul Bellanova will be rested as a precaution, while Giorgio Scalvini and Franck Kessié are also among the absentees for the highly anticipated opener.
The list of unavailable players includes Bellanova, Scalvini, Kessié, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, Ibrahim Sulemana, and Pompei. Bellanova and Scalvini both sustained issues during Monday’s 3-1 Serie A victory over Venezia, prompting manager Maurizio Sarri to opt against risking Bellanova. Kessié, who found the net in that same league fixture, also misses out on the European encounter.
However, there is positive news regarding Eljif Elmas. Despite being sent off against Venezia, his resulting ban applies only to Serie A matches, making him eligible for selection in the Conference League squad.
Atalanta enter the competition following their morale-boosting 3-1 win against Venezia. The Italian side is widely considered among the favourites to lift the Conference League trophy this season. The match against Pafos is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 CET.
Maurizio Sarri has named a 20-man squad for the fixture. Up front, Sarri has a strong selection of attacking talent, including Nikola Krstovic, who scored twice against Venezia, alongside Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere, Giacomo Raspadori, and Rowe.
Atalanta’s 20-Man Squad:
- Goalkeepers: Carnesecchi, Sportiello
- Defenders: Bernasconi, Kolasinac, Kristensen, Obric, Zalewski, Zappacosta
- Midfielders: Ederson, Elmas, Gaetano, Idele, Pasalic, Samardzic, Sonzogni
- Forwards: De Ketelaere, Krstovic, Raspadori, Rowe, Scamacca