When Atalanta roll into Genoa on Sunday evening, their former coach won't be waiting on the touchline. But his legacy haunts these fixtures nonetheless.
Gian Piero Gasperini transformed Atalanta from provincial outsiders into European contenders during his eight-year tenure. Now, as Roma's new mastermind, he watches from afar while his successor Raffaele Palladino attempts to rebuild La Dea's identity.
Twelve games, zero defeats
Atalanta haven't lost to Genoa in twelve meetings. Eight wins, four draws, and a dominant 5-1 victory when these sides last met. For Genoa's faithful at Luigi Ferraris, the hope of ending this barren run feels more distant than ever.
The statistics tell a brutal story. Genoa last beat Atalanta on December 22, 2018—almost exactly seven years ago. Since then, the Grifoni have failed to score in their last three league visits to Bergamo, a defensive frailty that mirrors their current struggles.
Post-Gasperini transition
Atalanta's season has been defined by managerial turbulence. Ivan Jurić's appointment in summer raised eyebrows, and his dismissal by November confirmed the skeptics' fears. Enter Palladino, charged with restoring order to a squad still searching for its identity.
The numbers aren't pretty: three wins and seven draws from their opening twelve matches left them languishing in mid-table. But Palladino has shown glimpses of progress—successive victories against Eintracht Frankfurt in Europe, Fiorentina domestically, and Genoa in the Coppa Italia last week have steadied the ship.
The recent 2-1 triumph over Cagliari in Serie A extended their momentum, though a 3-1 defeat to Verona served as a reminder of their inconsistency.
Daniele De Rossi's baptism of fire
Genoa's situation is equally precarious. After Patrick Vieira's disastrous start, the club turned to another former midfield icon in Daniele De Rossi. Three matches in—two draws and one victory—the former Roma captain has shown defensive organization but attacking limitations.
That solitary win came against bottom-placed Hellas Verona, hardly a statement result. Yet the draws against Fiorentina and Cagliari demonstrated resilience that was absent under Vieira.
De Rossi faces significant absences. Junior Messias and Maxwel Cornet remain sidelined, while the injury to Leo Østigård removes aerial presence from the defense. Benjamin Siegrist's uncertain fitness adds further complications.
Lookman and Retegui lead the charge
Ademola Lookman continues to torment defenses across Italy. The Nigerian international has been Atalanta's most consistent attacking threat, though Mateo Retegui leads the goal charts. The Argentine-Italian forward has quietly emerged as one of Serie A's most clinical finishers this season.
For Palladino, the challenge lies in balancing attacking intent with the defensive solidity that defined Gasperini's teams. Against a Genoa side that has conceded freely, the temptation to press will be considerable.
Mid-table collision course
Neither side can afford complacency. Atalanta's Champions League ambitions require consistent results, while Genoa's 16th-place standing—just points above the relegation zone—demands vigilance.
The gulf in quality should favor the visitors, but Luigi Ferraris under lights on a December evening creates an atmosphere few stadiums can match. If Genoa are to break their seven-year losing streak against La Dea, this is the moment.
History, form, and personnel all point one direction. Yet football's beauty lies in its unpredictability—and De Rossi knows better than most how to script an upset.
