Wounded Atalanta aim to recover from Bayern thrashing against top Serie A side Inter

Still recovering from a heavy 6-1 defeat by Champions League giants Bayern Munich, Atalanta face a nearby journey to Serie A frontrunners Inter Milan on Saturday as they seek to revive their fading chances of a top-four finish.

Italian footballs premier league holds a mere symbolic presence in Europes top club tournament following Atalantas rough handling by Bayern, which has once more exposed vulnerabilities in a prominent footballing country.

The Gazzetta dello Sport delivered a stark assessment mirroring Bayerns dominance over Atalanta: this reflects our true state, noted the iconic pink publication, highlighting Italys ongoing struggle to develop talents akin to Frances exceptional striker Michael Olise.

For Atalanta, a club with modest roots, bowing out in the Champions League round of 16 carries little shame, yet the crushing nature of Tuesdays loss has cast a shadow before their crucial encounter at the San Siro.

Either you triumph or you gain insight, and this evening we gained valuable lessons from an outstanding squad, one likely to remain in the fray until the finals, remarked Palladino.

We must not allow this outcome to demoralise us. Clearly, shipping six goals is disheartening and renders this evening particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, this squad has a history of rebounding from tough spots, particularly post-loss. My advice to the players was to stay positive, recover well, and refocus on the domestic campaign.

Raffaele Palladinos outfit, deprived of vital contributors Ederson and Charles De Ketelaere, trail unexpected top-four challengers Como by five points, another underdog from Lombardy shaking up the established order.

Inter, in turn, need to overcome their recent derby setback against AC Milan, facing Lazio on Sunday evening, to preserve their seven-point buffer over city neighbours from narrowing further.

Unexpected contenders Como

Como sit in fourth and will welcome struggling Roma on Sunday, matching Cesc Fabregas visionary team at 51 points with ten league games left.

A point behind in sixth lie Juventus, yet another side that underperformed in the Champions League, who could temporarily claim fourth with victory at Udinese on Saturday evening.

Como have no prior experience in European competitions during their eventful past, which prior to acquisition by tobacco conglomerate Djarum in 2019, was marked by more financial collapses than triumphs on the pitch.

However, there is genuine potential for Champions League action at the compact Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, overlooking one of the globes most renowned lakes, courtesy of a dynamic young roster that demonstrated resilience in last weekends narrow 2-1 success at Cagliari.

We never anticipated contending this strongly at the seasons outset. Our displays prove this group possesses real grit, stated Fabregas following that recent victory.

Roma, much like Inter, have faltered in high-stakes fixtures throughout the term, and they face the prospect of missing Champions League qualification again after squandering a two-goal advantage versus Juventus and falling to Genoa, under Daniele De Rossis guidance, in their previous two outings.

Gian Piero Gasperinis squad also face an Italian showdown with Bologna in the Europa League bracketing Sundays match, which may prove decisive in securing their first Champions League appearance since 2018.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Torino v Parma (1945)

Saturday

Inter Milan v Atalanta (1400), Napoli v Lecce (1700), Udinese v Juventus (1945)

Sunday

Verona v Genoa (1130), Pisa v Cagliari, Sassuolo v Bologna (1400), Como v Roma (1700), Lazio v AC Milan (1945)

Monday

Cremonese v Fiorentina (1945)