Young Boys and Atalanta BC will renew their UEFA Champions League rivalry on Tuesday evening at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland.
The two teams last met in the 2021/22 group stage, with Atalanta winning 1-0 at home and drawing 3-3 in the second leg.
Game preview
The Young Boys, the reigning Swiss Super League champions, had a poor start to the Champions League, losing all four of their opening games.
Under the caretaker management of Joel MagninThe Swiss team has only scored once and conceded eleven goals, leaving them rooted in the bottom three places.
In contrast, Atalanta have been one of the surprise packages in Europe’s elite club competition this season. Piero Gasperini’s men are unbeaten in their first four games, keeping four clean sheets.
Atalanta’s recent form has been impressive, with six consecutive wins in all competitions, including a 3-1 win over Atalanta Parma in Serie A on Saturday.
The Young Boys’ home form was somewhat more encouraging with four points from their last two Swiss Super League games.
However, their European problems continue to overshadow any positive results on the home front. Magnin hopes his side can end their Champions League drought and secure a much-needed win against the in-form Italians.
Atalanta, on the other hand, is on the rise both domestically and in Europe. The 2-0 win over Stuttgart on matchday four of the Champions League demonstrated the team’s solid defensive and offensive strength.
The Bergamo-based club is currently in second place in the Serie A table, level on points with reigning champions Inter Milan.
Head to head
The previous two meetings between Young Boys and Atalanta were closely contested affairs. In the group stage of the 2021-22 Champions League, the Italian team won 1-0 at home before suffering a thrilling 3-3 draw in Switzerland, where Luis Muriel’s late strike saved a point for Atalanta.
Team news
The Young Boys are without several key defensive players, including Saidy Janko, Abdu Conte and Loris Benito, while midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is also out.
Atalanta, meanwhile, will be without the suspended Ederson in midfield, but Lazar Samardzic should replace him effectively.
Expected starting lineups
Young Boys: (4-4-1-1)
Cellar;
Athekame, Lauper, Camara, Blum;
Men, Lakomy, Ugrinic, Colley;
Imeri;
Wholevoula
Atalanta BC: (3-4-1-2)
Carnesecchi;
Toloi, Hien, Kossounou;
Bellanova, Samardzic, De Roon, Ruggeri;
De Ketelaere;
Lookman, Retegui
forecast
Atalanta’s superior quality and current form are likely to be too much for the weakening Young Boys.
Gasperini’s side were cool in front of goal and strong at the back and will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the Champions League campaign.
Expect the Italian visitors to claim a comfortable victory in Bern.
- Result prediction: Young Boys 0-3 Atalanta BC
Betting tips
– Atalanta BC wins
– Atalanta BC keeps a clean sheet
– Ademola Lookman can score at any time