Ajax Host Atalanta in Heavyweight Europa Conference League Clash

A high-profile fixture takes center stage in Round 2 of the UEFA Europa Conference League phase as Ajax welcome Italian side Atalanta to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday, October 22.

Current Form and Standings

Ajax enter the match looking to recover from a difficult start to their European campaign. Michel's side suffered a 2-1 defeat away to Hajduk Split in their opening Conference League fixture, leaving them 25th in the standings. However, the Dutch outfit boosted their confidence over the weekend with an emphatic 5-2 victory against FC Groningen in the Eredivisie, following domestic draws with NEC Nijmegen (1-1) and Excelsior (2-2), alongside a 5-1 win over Willem II.

Atalanta, managed by Maurizio Sarri, sit 5th in the Conference League table after securing a convincing 3-1 victory over Pafos FC in Round 1. In domestic action, La Dea were edged 3-2 by AC Milan in Serie A last weekend, having previously earned a 3-1 win over Venezia and losses to Juventus (2-0) and Cagliari (2-1).

Head-to-Head History

In the last two meetings between the sides—both coming during the 2020 Champions League group stage—Atalanta hold the advantage with one victory and one draw. Their previous trip to Amsterdam ended in a 1-0 win for Atalanta, while the meeting in Bergamo finished in a 2-2 draw.

Team News and Key Players

Ajax head into the contest with several injury absences, including forward Kasper Dolberg and defender Daley Blind. Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to start in goal behind a defensive line featuring Thilo Kehrer, Youri Baas, Jofre Torrents, and Aaron Bouwman. Sofyan Amrabat, Julian Brandt, and Davy Klaassen anchor the midfield, while Tolu Arokodare leads the line alongside Viktor Tsigankov and Abdellah Ouazane.

Atalanta are also contending with injuries to key defensive figures Odilon Kossounou, Isak Hien, and Sead Kolasinac, as well as forward Giacomo Raspadori. Sarri is set to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Marco Carnesecchi in goal, flanked by defenders Davide Zappacosta, Thomas Kristensen, Relja Obric, and Lorenzo Bernasconi. Mario Pasalic, Elif Elmas, Nicola Zalewski, and Charles De Ketelaere provide midfield creativity behind striker Gianluca Scamacca.

Match Outlook

With referee Antonio Nobre officiating the contest in Amsterdam, both sides aim to solidify their position in the European table in what promises to be an entertaining battle between two attacking squads.