Atalanta enter the new Serie A season with high ambitions after finishing third last year, only ten points behind champions Napoli. The Bergamo club, long known for its dynamic and attacking style, will once again aim to compete at the top, with Champions League qualification firmly in their sights. Supporters also dream of silverware, whether through a domestic cup triumph or a long-awaited league breakthrough.
Their pre-season preparation, however, was mixed. Atalanta began strongly with 2-1 wins over RB Leipzig and Monza, showing sharpness in attack and defensive organization. But their momentum dipped after heavy defeats, including a 4-0 loss to Cologne and a narrow 2-1 setback against Juventus in their final friendly. These results highlighted some defensive concerns that coach Gian Piero Gasperini will need to address quickly.
Pisa’s Long-Awaited Return to the Top Flight
For Pisa, this season is historic. The Tuscan club is playing in Serie A for the first time in more than three decades—their last appearance at the top level was back in 1990–91. Survival is the clear objective, as their squad lacks top-flight experience and will need to adapt quickly to the speed and intensity of Serie A.
They began their campaign with a tense Italian Cup tie against Cesena, eventually advancing on penalties. While the victory provides momentum, it also underlined the challenges Pisa will face this season—grinding out results against stronger opposition with limited resources.
Tactical Matchup
The match at Bergamo is expected to showcase contrasting approaches. Atalanta will dominate possession, relying on their experienced midfield of Marten de Roon, Éderson, and Lazar Samardžić to dictate tempo and probe Pisa’s defensive structure. Their wingbacks, a trademark of Gasperini’s system, will look to stretch Pisa wide and create overloads in the attacking third.
Pisa, by contrast, will focus on compact defending and structured transitions. The speed of Matteo Tramoni and the physical presence of Dubickas could be their main outlets, particularly on the counterattack. Set pieces may also prove crucial, as newly promoted teams often lean on such opportunities to stay competitive against stronger opponents.
Prediction
Although Pisa will fight hard in their first Serie A appearance of the century, Atalanta’s experience, squad depth, and attacking firepower should ultimately prove decisive. The home side’s quality in the final third—particularly through Gianluca Scamacca—is likely to tilt the balance.
A tighter match than the odds suggest is possible, but Atalanta’s consistency at home makes them overwhelming favorites. Expect them to start their season with authority.
Prediction: Atalanta 3:0 Pisa