LOWDOWN ON ATALANTA

FORM: THEY were quarter-finalists in their debut Champions League campaign last season and sit fourth in Serie A after six games in 2020-21. Won 4-0 at Midtjylland on first European assignment before a 2-2 draw with Ajax. KEY PLAYER — JOSIP ILICIC: THE hero of last season’s European run missed the start of this campaign battling depression and Covid-19. Ilicic (right) is goalless in five games since returning but, even at 32, he is still a dynamic threat. The 6ft 3in Slovenian forward has 49 goals in 115 Atalanta games. MANAGER — GIAN PIERO GASPERINI: HIS high-risk, fast-paced attacking tactics produced 98 league goals last season, the most by any Serie A team in 68 years. The 62-year-old turned Atalanta from relegation candidates into a Champions League outfit within three seasons.