Champions League line-ups: Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz

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·21 January 2025

Champions League line-ups: Atalanta vs. Sturm Graz

Atalanta need to get back on track in 2025 as the Champions League returns and they host Sturm Graz amid an injury crisis, as Mateo Retegui starts.

It kicks off at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo at 17.45 GMT.

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It has been a rough start to 2025 for La Dea, who lost the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final to Inter, then had three consecutive Serie A draws before the 3-2 defeat to Napoli on Saturday.

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini also has limited options, because Odilon Kossounou is out for three months, with Nicolò Zaniolo and Gianluca Scamacca injured too.

Juan Cuadrado is only fit for the bench, so youth product Marco Palestra gets his first start at the age of 19, while Sead Kolasinac returns from suspension.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 14: Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta BC celebrates victory in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Atalanta and Sporting CP at the Stadio di Bergamo on March 14, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Austrians Sturm Graz lost five of their six Champions League games so far, but all of them have been by very narrow scorelines, including a recent 3-2 away to LOSC.

They also earned a 1-0 victory over Girona.

Max Johnston is not at 100 per cent, with top scorer Mike Biereth ineligible for this competition.

Ones to watch include Georgia international Otar Kiteishvili and striker Amady Camara.

This is Matchday 7 out of 8 in the new format of the Champions League opening phase.