Preseason friendlies: Atalanta vs. Athletic Bilbao, probable lineups

Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao are holding their final tune-ups one week before the start of their respective leagues. La Dea hosts the Basques for the Bortolotti Trophy match, an important test for Sarri as he looks to fine-tune his team ahead of their season opener in the Conference League playoffs against Hapoel Tel Aviv, scheduled for next Thursday.

The Nerazzurri will be without Charles De Ketelaere and Honest Ahanor, who are sidelined by minor physical issues that will prevent them from playing. These are minor muscle injuries that could force both players to miss both the Conference League match and the league opener against Sassuolo. Sarri is expected to field Raspadori, Scamacca, and Zalewski in the attacking trio, while Samardzic, Gaetano, and Ederson will feature in midfield. The two fullbacks are Bellanova and Bernasconi; in front of Carnesecchi, the center backs will be Scalvini and Kossounou.

The Basques, coached by Terzic, will field Maroan as the center forward with Inaki Williams, Sancet, and Navarro in the attacking midfield trio. In midfield, Canales partners with Jauregizar, while Rincon and Berchiche will play on the wings.

Atalanta vs. Athletic Bilbao: Probable Lineups
ATALANTA (4-3-3): Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Kossounou, Scalvini, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Gaetano, Ederson; Raspadori, Scamacca, Zalewski. Coach: Sarri.
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Rincon, Yeray Alvarez, Paredes, Berchiche; Canales, Jauregizar; I. Williams, Sancet, Navarro; Maroan.
Head Coach: Terzic.

Transfer news: Zalewski, a starter in today’s attacking trio, is also a hot topic in transfer talks. According to reports in *La Gazzetta dello Sport*, Ruben Amorim’s Milan is reportedly sounding out Atalanta regarding the Polish playmaker, who is considered potentially expendable given Sarri’s strategic choices.