On UEFA Champions League (UCL) matchday three, Atalanta were undone by a late Manchester United comeback (L 3-2), but they needed one themselves to draw with Lazio on Saturday.
They now host the three-time European champions with only three points separating the four Group F teams, so the third-placed Italians (W1, D1, L1) must aim for a result here to keep their qualification hopes alive.
That could be difficult for ‘La Dea,’ who have only won one of their last six UCL games as the designated home side (D2, L3), though two of those defeats were close calls against PSG and Real Madrid.
They were unbeaten in their first two European home games against English opponents (W1, D1), but they were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool almost exactly a year ago.
That’s a scoreline that will haunt Manchester United after their own thrashing at the hands of Liverpool, though they bounced back emphatically with a 3-0 away win at Tottenham on Saturday.
Despite the turmoil at Old Trafford, the Champions League has provided some respite for Ole Gunnar Solskjr’s men, who currently top this UCL group (W2, L1) after overcoming a surprise matchday one defeat away to Young Boys (2-1).
The ‘Red Devils’ record in this country is also encouraging, as they are unbeaten in five UCL away games against Italian opponents (W3, D2), never trailing at the break in any of them (HT: W2, D3).
This could be a close game, as their last four UCL away games have all been decided by a single goal (W1, L3).
Players to Watch
Atalanta’s last two league games saw Duván Zapata score in the first half, while Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored and assisted against Tottenham, has scored in all three of Man United’s UCL games this season – twice after the 80th minute.
Match Information
Vincic S. is the referee (Slo)
Gewiss Stadium is the location (Bergamo)
In Group F’s six games, there has been an average of one goal scored after the 80th minute.
Team News
Atalanta
Merih Demiral and Jose Luis Palomino have been declared fit for Tuesday by Gian Piero Gasperini, which is a welcome relief given their other injury concerns.
Marten de Roon, a former Middlesbrough midfielder, could return to the starting lineup with Rafael Toloi and Berat Djimsiti both ruled out.
Ruslan Malinovskyi may also be left out of the starting lineup.
Manchester United
Victor Lindelof has not travelled with the Manchester United squad after picking up a knock in training on Monday, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the decision of whether to replace him in the back three or revert to a back four.
Eric Bailly would be the natural replacement for Lindelof, but Luke Shaw could also play in the back three alongside Alex Telles on the left wing.
To keep Uruguayan veteran Edinson Cavani fit for Saturday’s Manchester Derby, Marcus Rashford should replace him up front.
With Saturday’s game against Manchester City in mind, Paul Pogba’s domestic suspension does not extend to Europe, and he could even start here in place of one of Fred or Scott McTominay.
After Raphael Varane returned to first-team action over the weekend, Anthony Martial is the only other injury concern for the away side.
Match Facts
Over 2.5 goals have been scored in each of Manchester United’s last ten games (Champions League).
Tottenham 0-3 Manchester United: Ole reply critics in stylePrediction
In gameweek three, Atalanta raced out to a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford, but were pegged back by Manchester United, losing 3-2. In the three games since, they have earned five points out of a possible nine.
Manchester United bounced back from a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool with a 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
They’ve been very inconsistent recently, winning just three of their last eight games.
However, with a three-man backline in north London demonstrating the side’s strength, United may edge Atalanta on Tuesday night.
Expect Over 1.5 goals to be scored.
Where to Watch
beIN Sport (Fra), BT Sport, Club RTL, CMore (Fin), CMore Sport (Fin), COSMOTE Sport, DAZN Deutsch, Digi Sport 2 (Rom), Eleven Sports (Por), Look Sport, Look Sport +, M4 Sport, Max Sport, Polsat Sport Premium 1, Premier Sport 2 (Cze), Telekom Sport (Rom), TV3+, Viaplay (Den)
