Genoa vs Atalanta — Match Preview
Serie A action continues at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday, 21 December 2025, as Genoa host an Atalanta side that has historically tormented them.1 The Grifone sit precariously in 16th place with 14 points, just above the relegation zone, and are looking to avenge a humiliating 4–0 Coppa Italia defeat to these very opponents earlier this month. Atalanta, currently 12th with 19 points, are finally finding their rhythm, having won back-to-back tough games against Chelsea (UCL) and Cagliari. However, La Dea arrives in Liguria severely depleted by injuries and the Africa Cup of Nations.
Genoa vs Atalanta — Match Info
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 16)
- Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa (Capacity: 36,599)
- Date: Sunday, 21 December 2025
- Kickoff: 15:00 CET | 14:00 GMT | 09:00 ET
- Referee: Rosario Abisso (ITA)
Genoa vs Atalanta — Match Stakes
Genoa (16th — 14 pts):
- Win → Moves to 17 pts; crucial breathing room from the bottom three
- Draw → A gritty point against a superior side; stops the bleeding vs Atalanta
- Loss → Risk dropping into the relegation zone if results elsewhere go against them
Atalanta (12th — 19 pts):
- Win → Moves to 22 pts; continues the climb back towards European spots
- Draw → Decent result given the squad absences, but slows their momentum
- Loss → A setback that keeps them stuck in mid-table obscurity
Genoa vs Atalanta — Team News
Genoa:
- Junior Messias — Out (Calf Injury)
- Ostigard L. — Out (Muscle Injury – Key Defender Missing)
- Onana J. — Out (International Duty – AFCON)
- Siegrist B. — Out (Finger Injury)
- Pinamonti A. — Available (Expected to lead the line)
Atalanta:
- Lookman A. — Out (International Duty – Major Loss)
- Kossounou O. — Out (International Duty)
- Hien I. — Out (Illness)
- Bellanova R. — Out (Injury)
- Bakker M. — Out (Knee Injury)
- Djimsiti B. — Questionable (Injury – Late fitness test)
- Defensive Crisis: With Hien, Kossounou, and potentially Djimsiti out, Gasperini is down to bare bones at the back.
Genoa vs Atalanta — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Genoa
- 14/12 — 1–2 vs Inter (Serie A)
- 08/12 — 2–1 vs Udinese (Serie A)
- 03/12 — 0–4 vs Atalanta (Coppa Italia)
- 29/11 — 2–1 vs Verona (Serie A)
- 22/11 — 3–3 vs Cagliari (Serie A)
Atalanta
- 14/12 — 2–1 vs Cagliari (Serie A)
- 10/12 — 2–1 vs Chelsea (UCL)
- 07/12 — 1–3 vs Verona (Serie A)
- 03/12 — 4–0 vs Genoa (Coppa Italia)
- 30/11 — 2–0 vs Fiorentina (Serie A)
Genoa vs Atalanta — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 03/12/2025 — Atalanta 4–0 Genoa (Coppa Italia)
- 18/05/2025 — Genoa 2–3 Atalanta (Serie A)
- 05/10/2024 — Atalanta 5–1 Genoa (Serie A)
- 11/02/2024 — Genoa 1–4 Atalanta (Serie A)
- 22/10/2023 — Atalanta 2–0 Genoa (Serie A)
Genoa vs Atalanta — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Genoa (3-5-2)
Gollini; Vogliacco, Bani, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby, Martin; Vitinha, Pinamonti
Atalanta (3-4-2-1)
Carnesecchi; Godfrey, Toloi, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic, Samardzic; Retegui
Genoa vs Atalanta — Impact Bench
Genoa: Malinovskyi (Long-range threat), Ekuban (Pace off the bench)7
Atalanta: Zaniolo (Creative spark), Cuadrado (Experience)
Genoa vs Atalanta — Tactical Analysis
Genoa
Alberto Gilardino must fix the defense. Genoa have conceded 14 goals in their last 5 meetings with Atalanta. Without Ostigard, they lack aerial dominance. Genoa will likely try to make this a physical, scrappy game, using Morten Frendrup to disrupt Atalanta’s rhythm and hitting long balls to Pinamonti to bypass the midfield press.
Atalanta
Gian Piero Gasperini faces a puzzle. Without Ademola Lookman (their best attacker) and key defenders like Hien and Kossounou, the system remains but the personnel is stretched. Expect Mario Pasalic and Lazar Samardzic to operate as dual 10s behind Mateo Retegui. Atalanta will still press high, but they might be more vulnerable to counters than usual given the makeshift backline.
Genoa vs Atalanta — Key Battles
- Retegui vs Bani — Italy teammates clashing in the box
- Ederson vs Frendrup — battle of the ball-winning midfielders
- Martin vs Zappacosta — flank war for crossing opportunities
- Pinamonti vs Toloi — speed vs experience
Genoa vs Atalanta — Spotlight Players
Genoa — Andrea Pinamonti
The striker has a point to prove. Against an Atalanta defense missing three starters, he will get chances. His hold-up play is vital to giving Genoa’s defense a breather.
Atalanta — Lazar Samardzic
With Lookman away at AFCON, the creative burden falls on the Serbian playmaker. His set-piece delivery and ability to unlock deep defenses will be the difference between a win and a draw.
Genoa vs Atalanta — Prediction
Genoa 1–2 Atalanta
Genoa will be desperate for revenge after the 0–4 cup thrashing, and Atalanta’s absences (especially Lookman and Hien) level the playing field significantly. However, Atalanta’s psychological edge in this fixture is massive (5 straight wins). Even with a depleted squad, Gasperini’s system usually finds a way to outscore Genoa.
Genoa vs Atalanta — Betting Insights
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (History suggests goals: 4-0, 3-2, 5-1 recently)
- Atalanta to Win — Value (Despite injuries, form is superior)
- Both Teams to Score — YES (Atalanta defense is makeshift)
Genoa vs Atalanta — Where to Watch
- Italy: DAZN
- USA: Paramount+
- UK: TNT Sports
Genoa vs Atalanta — FAQs
Q: When is the Genoa vs Atalanta match?
A: The match kicks off on Sunday, 21 December 2025, at 15:00 CET.
Q: Why is Ademola Lookman not playing?
A: He is on international duty (likely AFCON preparation) with Nigeria.
Q: Who won the last match between them?
A: Atalanta won 4–0 in the Coppa Italia just over two weeks ago (Dec 3, 2025).8
Q: Is Mateo Retegui available for Atalanta?
A: Yes, he is expected to start as the main striker.
Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community
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