Atalanta were not expected to start Mateo Retegui for the trip to Fiorentina, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s assistant explains why the Capocannoniere was risked.
It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT).
The expectation had been that Retegui would at best be fit for the bench, if even that, after pulling out of international duty with Italy due to a muscular issue.
However, he is leading the attack with support from Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.
“If he is starting, then his condition is good,” assistant manager Tullio Gritti told DAZN.
“Retegui trained for the last two days with the squad, showed no problems, so the coach decided to put him in from the start. He is an important player for us.”
Gasperini sits out touchline ban for Atalanta
Gritti is filling in for Gasperini, who sits out a one-match touchline ban following the red card for dissent in the defeat to Inter.
That was the last match before the break for international duty, where Atalanta have been unable to work with many players in training over the last two weeks.
“Players are accustomed to this situation by now, some return a little earlier, for instance Ademola only had his first training session with us on Friday. It’s just something we have to deal with,” added Gritti.
“Fiorentina are a very strong team, so this is a big test, I have no doubts the players will be fully concentrated and ready for this sporting battle.”
