The second leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal starts tonight with several big matches. English club Liverpool have a massive task tonight following their dramatic defeat against Atalanta in the first leg. Atalanta surprised the Klopp boys in the first leg as they defeated the All-Reds by scoring three goals at Anfield. Former West Ham player Gianluca Scamacca scored a brace in the first leg to register Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Liverpool. Now Liverpool have to win the second leg with a minimum of a four-goal margin to progress into the semifinal.
Stats & Facts
- Since Atalanta won the first leg, they would win both legs in the knockout stage of the Europa League for the first time since the 2021-2022 season.
- Liverpool have not lost both legs in the knockout stages since the 1998-1999 season in the Europa League/UEFA Cup.
- Atalanta have not won a home game against English teams since 2017. The last time they won a home game against an English club was against Everton.
- Liverpool have lost only one of their last three games away from home against Italian teams across all competitions. They won the remaining three during this run. Their only defeat came in 2022 when Napoli beat them by a 4-1 margin.
- Atalanta’s recent home records in the UEFA Cup/Europa League are decent enough. They lost only one of their last 16 home games in this competition, where they won 10 and tied the remaining five.
Team News
Giorgio Scalvini is out of the team, while Sead Kolasinac is unavailable due to an injury. Marten de Roon missed Atalanta’s last game due to a suspension, but he is back again and ready to play tonight. Additionally, Davide Zappacosta is ready to start for Atalanta following his one-game ban in Serie A.
As for Liverpool, Conor Bradly picked up an injury during their defeat to Crystal Palace. He is still uncertain ahead of the game, but Liverpool are ready to welcome Trent Alexander Arnold after he recovers from his injury. Unfortunately, the home side will miss the service of Ben Doak, Joel Matip, and Thiago Alcantara due to their respective injury.
Possible Lineup for Atalanta:
Musso; De Roon, Djimsiti, Hien; Zappacosta, Pasalic, Ederson, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; Scamacca, De Ketelaere
Possible Lineup for Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Elliott; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Prediction: Atalanta 2-3 Liverpool
As Liverpool lost the first leg by a 3-0 margin, they will be very aggressive tonight against Atalanta. But it will be a difficult task for the Klopp boys to win at Stadio Atleti Azzurri.
As the home side, Atalanta will also create pressure on Liverpool. We expect Liverpool to win the second leg, but Atalanta will qualify for the semifinal on aggregate.
Betfair Odds
Atalanta: 5.00
Draw: 4.90
Liverpool: 1.60
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