Serie A Matchweek 3 brings two unbeaten sides to the Stadio Olimpico on 5 September 2026, with Roma sitting top of the table and Atalanta in fifth, both on six points. The fixture carries a subplot that makes it more than a routine early season encounter: Gian Piero Gasperini returns to face the club that shaped him, now standing in the opposite dugout. Roma have opened with back to back 4-0 wins and a goal difference of +8, whereas Atalanta have also won both matches but more narrowly, squeezing past Bologna 1-0 in their most recent outing.
Gasperini and Maurizio Sarri have met 23 times, with Gasperini leading 8-7 in wins across those meetings, with eight draws. Gasperini took charge at Roma on 5 June 2025, replacing Claudio Ranieri, while Sarri arrived at Atalanta on 15 June 2026 after Raffaele Palladino left.
Roma's two wins both ended 4-0, against Fiorentina in August and Lecce on 31 August 2026, the pattern consistent throughout: high intensity pressing forces turnovers in dangerous positions and the finishing has been ruthless. Atalanta have also won twice but with less margin for error, beating Sassuolo before edging out Bologna 1-0 on 31 August.
Roma are without Lorenzo Pellegrini (thigh), Devyne Rensch (muscular complaint) and Evan Ndicka, who is doubtful with a knee, thigh and groin problem. Losing Ndicka would force adjustments in a back three that has conceded nothing across 180 minutes and Pellegrini's absence leaves Roma without their most natural connection between midfield and Dybala. Atalanta are also short handed, with Isak Hien missing out with a hamstring and thigh problem and Kamaldeen Sulemana remaining sidelined by a knee and MCL injury, leaving a gap in central defence that Sarri will need to paper over.
Roma operate in a 3-4-2-1 or 3-5-2 depending on the phase, with wing backs who push high and Paulo Dybala dropping into pockets between the lines. Donyell Malen leads the line and already has five goals in two matches, a return that speaks to how well the press is working: when Roma win the ball high, defenders barely have time to recover and Malen has punished both Fiorentina and Lecce for exactly that. Manu Koné sits at the base of midfield as the structural anchor that allows the wing backs to stay forward, his positioning what makes the press sustainable even if his contribution is easy to overlook.
Atalanta under Sarri play a 4-3-3 built on patient build up and midfield control, looking to work combinations through the centre before releasing Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere in transition. Roma's press is designed to deny exactly that and with Hien and Sulemana both absent, Atalanta's defensive line may be less comfortable when the press triggers. The midfield battle is where this one is decided: if Koné dominates the second balls, Roma feed Dybala and Malen in space and Atalanta spend the afternoon defending, whereas if Atalanta's midfield trio get time on the ball, De Ketelaere can find the half spaces behind Roma's advancing wing backs. Malen's movement in behind gives Atalanta's centre backs a constant problem to solve every time Roma transition and Gasperini's intimate knowledge of how Atalanta press and build means little about their attacking patterns will surprise him.
Atalanta have won five of the last six meetings between these sides, though the most recent ended 1-1 in April 2026. The historical record features low goal totals and a high proportion of single goal decisions, which fits two tactically minded coaches who have no interest in open matches and Roma's organisation at both ends across their opening games suggests that pattern is unlikely to change.
Roma should win this 1-0, their defensive record stronger, their press working at a frightening rate and Gasperini's knowledge of Atalanta's patterns well placed to neutralise some of their best attacking moves. Scamacca's hold up play gives De Ketelaere time to arrive if Roma's wing backs are caught high but Roma's defensive structure has conceded nothing in two matches and Atalanta are missing their first choice centre back.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
