It’s the master against the apprentice, as Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hosts Ivan Juric’s Genoa in the early game.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Juric worked with Gasperini as his captain at Genoa, then his assistant manager and now they meet as opposition Coaches for the first time.
Gasp was replaced by his pupil on the Grifone bench over the summer after taking Crotone to their historic promotion from Serie B.
It’s the master against the apprentice, as Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini hosts Ivan Juric’s Genoa in the early game.
It kicks off at 11.30 GMT, click here for a match preview.
Juric worked with Gasperini as his captain at Genoa, then his assistant manager and now they meet as opposition Coaches for the first time.
Gasp was replaced by his pupil on the Grifone bench over the summer after taking Crotone to their historic promotion from Serie B.
Atalanta had struggled at first this season, but have adapted to Gasperini’s system and are now unbeaten in five, including victories over Inter and Pescara.
Genoa recovered from the Derby della Lanterna loss to Sampdoria by crushing third-placed Milan 3-0 on Tuesday evening.
Rafael Toloi, Guglielmo Stendardo and Mauricio Pinilla miss out for the hosts due to injury, while Andrea Petagna gets the nod in attack with Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez.
Juric has almost a full squad to choose from, except for Armando Izzo, who is replaced by Santiago Gentiletti for an all-Argentine defence.
Darko Lazovic returns from suspension, while Leonardo Pavoletti is finally fit enough to make his comeback from the start, flanked by Olivier Ntcham and Luca Rigoni.
Atalanta and Genoa have met 64 times, with Genoa coming out on top in 25 and Atalanta 17. However, six of the last 10 meetings have been draws, none of which goalless.
Atalanta: Berisha; Konko, Caldara, Masiello; Conti, Gagliardini, Freuler, Drame; Kurtic; Petagna, Gomez
Genoa: Perin; Gentiletti, Burdisso, Munoz; Lazovic, Rincon, Veloso, Laxalt; Ntcham, Pavoletti, Rigoni