There are already reports Salernitana will sack coach Fabrizio Castori, but he hopes to start Franck Ribery and make the most of Atalanta’s problems.
La Dea will be fatigued by their midweek Champions League exertions, drawing 2-2 away to Villarreal, and have struggled in Serie A throughout the season. Duvan Zapata and Josip Ilicic are not at 100 per cent, but have to keep leading the way.
The hosts could start Ribery after his debut off the bench in the 4-0 defeat to Torino. Castori is considering a change of system to accommodate the veteran behind Nwankwo Simy and Federico Bonazzoli.
Form Guide: Salernitana (L L L) Atalanta (W D L)
Stat fact: Salernitana could become only the fourth team to concede 12 or more goals in the opening four rounds since Serie A returned to 20 clubs in 2004-05. The others were Benevento in 2020-21, Sassuolo in 2013-14 and Livorno in 2007-08.
Probable line-ups
Salernitana (3-4-1-2): Belec; Bogdan, Strandberg, Gagliolo; Kechrida, M Coulibaly, L Coulibaly, Ranieri; Ribery; Simy, Bonazzoli
Suspended: None
Injured: Capezzi, Ruggeri
On a yellow card: None
Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Toloi, Demiral, Palomino; Maehle, Koopmeiners, Freuler, Gosens; Pasalic; Duvan Zapata, Ilicic
Suspended: De Roon
Injured: Hateboer, Muriel
On a yellow card: None