AS Roma vs Atalanta - Serie A

All eyes turn to the home ground on April 18, 2026 as AS Roma welcome Atalanta in a Serie A encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. Enzo Maresca and Rico Lewis held a pre-match press conference on Saturday as Manchester City prepare to face Atletico Madrid in their third pre-season friendly of the summer.

Both camps will view the Serie A meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. The hosts have been in fine fettle of late, their recent run of DLDDW underlining a campaign win rate of 100%. The visitors have been picking up results steadily, L over their last five with a campaign win rate of 50%. One side has leaned on a miserly defence, the other on a free-scoring attack, and the meeting of those contrasting strengths promises an intriguing tactical subtext. Tim Sherwood makes his predictions for the new Premier League season, including who he thinks will make the top four in the table.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both AS Roma and Atalanta have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. Few of Bouaddi's age possess such a rare blend of physicality off the ball, and poise and balance in possession.

Neither side is short on individuals capable of tilting the balance, and the duel between the two squads' chief creators could prove particularly pivotal. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. If he was to leave a year after joining, City would be aiming to add another central midfielder to their squad.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 3-3. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the Serie A picture. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.