Atalanta Face Venezia as Sarri Seeks to End Losing Run

Atalanta face a crucial test against Venezia at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, with Maurizio Sarri's team seeking to end a three-match losing streak and recover ground in the Italian Serie A standings. The Monday evening fixture pits Atalanta, 11th with six points, against a Venezia side rooted to the bottom in 20th place with none, according to the league table published by BBC Sport.

Atalanta have collected six points from five league matches, recording two wins and three defeats while scoring five goals and conceding seven. Their recent losses came against Roma and Juventus away from home and Cagliari on their own ground, according to sport.quotidiano.net.

Venezia have also played five league matches but remain without a point, with four goals scored and 13 conceded. The team's defensive record leaves it nine goals below an even goal difference, while its position places it in the relegation zone.

The match carries added importance for Atalanta as they prepare for a demanding stretch of nine games in four weeks. According to sport.quotidiano.net, the club's schedule includes a Conference League match against Cyprus' Pafos, an away trip to face AC Milan at the Meazza, and a subsequent visit to Amsterdam to play Ajax.

Atalanta's immediate objective is to return to winning form before that run of fixtures begins. Another setback would leave the team with further ground to recover in its pursuit of European qualification.

Sport.quotidiano.net reported that Sarri had five full days of training with the squad after international players returned. Several players also had international commitments, including Kessie, who played two matches for Ivory Coast, while Éderson trained during the break at Zingonia and De Ketelaere featured for Belgium.

The projected lineup published by the Italian outlet included Carnesecchi in goal, with Bellanova, Kristensen, Scalvini and Bernasconi in defense. Kessie, Gaetano and Éderson were listed in midfield, behind an attacking trio of De Ketelaere, Scamacca and Rowe.

However, BBC Sport's lineup listing showed a possible 4-2-3-1 formation, with Zappacosta at left back, Kessie and Éderson in defensive midfield, and Krstovic leading the attack. The differing projected selections indicate that the outlets listed different potential starting combinations before kickoff.

Atalanta must also contend with defensive absences. Sport.quotidiano.net reported that Hien and Kossounou were unavailable, leaving Kristensen as the only alternative for the central defensive pairing alongside Scalvini.

Venezia arrive in Bergamo after a difficult start to their league campaign. An October 11 preview published by MrFixitsTips.co.uk noted that the team had suffered six consecutive defeats across its recent competitive run and had conceded at least two goals in every match during that sequence. The report distinguished that run from Venezia's earlier Coppa Italia campaign.

The wider Serie A table shows Inter Milan and Lazio level on 16 points after six matches, followed by Roma on 14 and Cagliari on 13. Atalanta's six points leave them in the middle-to-lower section of the standings, while Venezia remain last without a league point.