There are growing reports Atalanta will start Josip Ilicic as a makeshift centre-forward supported by Papu Gomez and Ruslan Malinovskyi against Manchester City.
The Champions League tie kicks off at the Etihad at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Gian Piero Gasperini is forced to do without hitman Duvan Zapata, who returned from international duty with Colombia suffering from a thigh strain.
There are growing reports Atalanta will start Josip Ilicic as a makeshift centre-forward supported by Papu Gomez and Ruslan Malinovskyi against Manchester City.
The Champions League tie kicks off at the Etihad at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Gian Piero Gasperini is forced to do without hitman Duvan Zapata, who returned from international duty with Colombia suffering from a thigh strain.
It was assumed that Luis Muriel would replace his fellow countryman, but Gasp likes to keep options off the bench to shake up the game in the second half.
With that in mind, and Manchester City’s star-studded squad, Gasp could opt to start Ilicic as a False 9 with support from Gomez and Malinovskyi.
Decisions in defence are foisted upon him, because Simon Kjaer and Jose Luis Palomino are injured, so Berat Djimsiti has to play even with flu symptoms.
Sky Sport Italia report the possibility of another surprise twist, leaving out Hans Hateboer in favour of Robin Gosens.
Meanwhile, there was good news for Atalanta from the UEFA Youth League, as they beat Manchester City 3-1 this afternoon.
Ian Poveda had put the hosts in front, but the Orobici teens turned it all around with goals from Davide Angelo Ghislandi, Roberto Piccoli and Diallo Amad Traore.
Atalanta (probable): Gollini; Toloi, Djimsiti, Masiello; Castagne, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Gomez, Malikovskyi; Ilicic