Monza vs Atalanta: Two Sides in Freefall Meet on Sunday
Four defeats in six for Monza, three in six for Atalanta — something has to give in Serie A matchweek 11
Let's be honest — this is not the glamour tie of the Serie A matchweek 11 weekend. But sometimes the most revealing fixtures are the ones where two struggling sides run headfirst into each other, and Sunday's clash between Monza and Atalanta is exactly that kind of match. Monza have won just 2 of their last 6, lost 4, and conceded 13 goals in that run. They've been beaten by Napoli 4-1 at home, lost 3-2 at Torino and gone down 2-1 to Bologna. Eleven goals scored tells you there's some life going forward, but thirteen conceded is a defensive story that keeps writing itself in the wrong direction.
Atalanta aren't turning up with any great authority either. One win, two draws and three defeats from their last six, 11 scored and 15 conceded — including a 4-4 draw with Frosinone and a 0-3 home defeat to Parma. That Parma result, in particular, would have stung. For a club with Atalanta's pedigree in this division and in european competition, shipping three at home without reply is alarming regardless of context. And then there's the injury situation. Five players unavailable: Kossounou and Kolašinac both out with hamstring problems, Kristensen with muscular issues, Bellanova nursing a groin problem and Gaetano — who had contributed one assist and a clean sheet in his two appearances — also sidelined with groin problems. That is a genuinely significant chunk of their defensive and midfield structure missing.
For Monza, the injury list is shorter but still notable. Gustavo Varela, their standout performer in front of goal this season with 2 goals from just 2 appearances — good enough to rank among the division's top scorers alongside the likes of D. Frattesi and H. Çalhanoğlu on the same tally — is listed as unavailable. So is Cutrone, another attacking option. That leaves the goal threat looking considerably thinner. Colpani has chipped in with 1 goal and 2 key passes, and Ricardo Mangas has been active from left back with 4 key passes and an assist from 2 appearances, so there are still players capable of making something happen. But losing Varela given his early-season output is a real blow.
Carnesecchi in the Atalanta goal has been solid — 10 saves and a clean sheet from two appearances — and Scamacca, Pasalic and De Ketelaere all bring enough quality to hurt a Monza backline that has conceded freely. Krstović has a goal from limited minutes and will push for a starting role with the forward options thinned by injury. This is a preview rather than a transfer news column, but the squad depth issues for both clubs are plain to see from the available lists alone. Neither side is at full strength. Neither side is playing well. And yet, with Atalanta's attacking talent and Monza's vulnerability at the back — 13 conceded in 6 matches is not a foundation you build confidence on — the visitors look the more likely side to edge it on Sunday.
