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Champions League 2025-2026: Atalanta-Chelsea, the likely lineups

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Atalanta hosts Chelsea on the sixth day of the Champions League single group stage. Kickoff at 9 p.m. at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo. After the unexpected knockout with Hellas Verona in Serie A, the Nerazzurri want to restart in Europe, where they are chasing their third consecutive victory, the second under Raffaele Palladino, who made his debut in the top competition with a clear success against Eintracht Frankfurt away. On the other hand, the Blues are coming off two disappointing performances in the Premier League against Leeds and Bournemouth, respectively, in which they picked up only one point. In the Champions League, however, they come from a 3-0 win over Barcelona that took them to seventh place in the standings with 10 points, the same as Dea.

Luca GiorgettiEnzo Maresca kicked out after the show: photos of his ejection

Enzo Maresca kicked out after the show: photos of his expulsion
The Chelsea coach was ejected in the Chelsea-Liverpool final
Maresca received two yellow cards and was kicked out by the'referee
The first caution came after an argument with the Liverpool bench
He heard some unkind words and did not hold back
After the scene with the opposing bench, Maresca was cautioned
The Blues’ coach failed to restrain himself after Estevao’s goal
The young Brazilian star scored the winning goal in the dying minutes and Maresca ran to cheer with his players
Uncontainable the joy of the Blues after the goal of the final 2-1
Great celebration of the players who rejoiced with their fans
Enzo Maresca after the celebrations returned to the bench where the'referee was waiting for him…
The match director waved him the second yellow card and ejected him

Palladino is expected to revive Scamacca from 1′ in attack, with Lookman and De Ketelare behind him. Midfield confirmed en bloc, while in defense Kolasinac is a candidate for a starting shirt in place of Kossounou. “I have a group of great men and they want to redeem themselves after Verona – said the Nerazzurri coach in the press conference -. These things should not happen anymore, but now we need to turn the page: between Chelsea and Cagliari we need to find the right pace again by giving everything. We want to play a perfect game. We want to express ourselves in a great way. To get to big goals we need the contribution from everything: I will put the best lineup, but whoever comes in will also have to make a contribution”.

Maresca is banking on Joao Pedro in attack, with Enzo Fernandez behind him in the three-quarter, complemented by Estevao and Garnacho, ahead of Gittens. In midfield, James-Santos ballot, with the former favored, while in defense Gusto and Cucurella will act as full-backs. “I am in love with Atalanta – admitted the Blues’ coach – Abroad it is a boast for us Italians. I congratulate the club and the team. I followed it a lot to understand and take the best from Gasperini: for many years it was a reference. From a soccer point of view abroad we have had few reasons to be proud, but Atalanta has been one of them. I expect a tough match: they are an aggressive team. Tomorrow will be a different challenge”.

Probable lineups
.

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Zappacosta; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Scamacca. All: Palladino

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Estevao, Enzo Fernández, Garnacho; Joao Pedro. All.: Maresca

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