Serie A Preview: Lecce’s New Squad Awaits Cohesion While Atalanta Aims for a Strong Start with Impressive Form

On August 20th at 00:30 AM, the Italian Serie A kicks off with a match where Lecce hosts the visiting Atalanta.

Lecce is not considered a strong team in Serie A. In last season’s league, they only managed a disappointing record of 8 wins, 14 draws, and 16 losses, accumulating 38 points to finish 14th in the league. The team went through a thrilling relegation battle, ultimately securing survival with just a 3-point advantage over the relegation zone. Over 38 games, Lecce scored 32 goals and conceded 54, showcasing disastrous performances on both offense and defense.

During the off-season, the team parted ways with their defensive pillar Pongracic, while introducing several new players in midfield and attack. The most notable addition was midfielder Koulibaly from Salernitana. Clearly, the team aims to make changes on both ends of the pitch to avoid another grueling season and strive for better results in the new season.

In terms of injuries, Lecce currently has only one player, Caba, out due to injury, who is expected to return in November, while the rest are fit for this game.

Atalanta had what could be described as the best season in club history, finishing the league with 21 wins, 6 draws, and 11 losses, collecting 69 points to secure fourth place. This result alone earned them a spot in European competition. However, their performance in the Europa League was even more impressive, culminating in an unexpected victory over Bayer Leverkusen, who were undefeated across all competitions throughout the season, in the final.

In last season’s league, Atalanta scored 72 goals, demonstrating formidable offensive power, while conceding just 42 goals defensively. In terms of squad adjustments, there have not been major changes, as the performance of last season already proved that the current lineup can handle most matches and is conducive to further cohesion.

As many as three players in Atalanta’s squad are suffering from serious injuries: Kolasinac, Toloi, and Scamacca.

In the last 10 encounters between the two sides, Atalanta holds a clear advantage with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses. Last season, Atalanta defeated Lecce twice, highlighting a significant gap in strength. Currently, Atalanta maintains its original squad with excellent cohesion, whereas Lecce is still making adjustments. The outcome of the opening match is almost self-evident.

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