Serie A Weekend Preview: Atalanta Fights Crisis, Inter Seeks Stability, And AC Milan Targets Top Spot

‎From Atalanta and Fiorentina desperately seeking overdue victories, to Inter Milan needing to steady their season after a bruising week, and AC Milan aiming to hit the summit.

‎Here is the complete, detailed preview.

‎Atalanta vs Fiorentina: 

‎Two teams in dire need of a long-awaited Serie A success meet in Bergamo on Sunday evening, as Atalanta hosts Fiorentina in full-blown crisis mode.

‎Although Atalanta’s midweek European exploits offered renewed hope, Fiorentina suffered once again, deepening their turmoil.

‎Atalanta’s performances in Europe are in stark contrast to their inconsistent domestic form. Having beaten Marseille away earlier this month, they followed up with a ruthless display in Germany, sweeping aside Eintracht Frankfurt in a five-minute second-half blitz sparked by Ademola Lookman’s breakthrough strike.

‎New coach Raffaele Palladino tasted victory on his Champions League debut, keeping La Dea firmly in contention for progression beyond the groups. Their European form, bolstered by having kept more clean sheets than almost any other club in the competition, stands at odds with their Serie A struggles.

‎With just 13 points from 12 league matches, this is Atalanta’s worst start since 2014, and they are winless in eight domestic fixtures.

‎Palladino, still searching for his first league win since taking charge, now faces his former club Fiorentina.

‎La Viola, however, finds themselves even deeper in crisis. Their 1-1 draw with Juventus last week did little to mask their alarming decline, as they remain winless in Serie A since May.

‎With just two points separating them from the drop zone and the lowest points total in their history at this stage of a season, Fiorentina face a battle to avoid repeating grim history. Only Cagliari, some two decades ago, has avoided relegation after failing to win any of its first twelve matches.

‎New coach Paolo Vanoli has not yet made an impact, with disappointing draws and a Conference League defeat against AEK Athens exposing glaring weaknesses.

‎Fiorentina have now gone seven games without a win in all competitions and remain deeply unconvincing at both ends of the pitch. Their defence has conceded a league-high 10 set-piece goals, while attackers Moise Kean and Edin Dzeko continue to misfire, with the veteran Bosnian yet to open his Serie A account for the club.

‎Team news:

‎Atalanta will be close to full strength, with only Giorgio Scalvini and long-term absentee Mitchel Bakker unavailable, while Lookman is expected to start after rediscovering form. Fiorentina, meanwhile, are depleted and uncertain, missing several key players including Robin Gosens and possibly Dodo, with Christian Kouame and Tariq Lamptey still sidelined.

‎Given their respective trajectories, Atalanta appear better-placed to pounce on Fiorentina’s weaknesses.

‎Despite their poor home form throughout 2025, La Dea’s European spark could carry into this encounter.

‎Prediction: Atalanta BC 2–0 Fiorentina

‎Pisa vs Inter Milan: 

‎Inter Milan enters Sunday’s meeting with Pisa needing to respond to a bruising week that saw them lose the Milan derby and fall to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

‎Cristian Chivu’s side cannot afford further setbacks, especially against newly promoted opposition.

‎Inter’s flawless Champions League start came to an abrupt halt in Madrid, where a late goal condemned them to defeat despite Piotr Zielinski’s equaliser. That setback followed their derby loss to AC Milan, where Hakan Calhanoglu missed a crucial penalty and the Nerazzurri slipped to fourth in the table.

‎A worrying trend has emerged: Inter have lost every major clash this season, including defeats to Napoli, Juventus, Milan, and Atletico.

‎Yet against lower-table teams, they are typically reliable, and Pisa offers an opportunity for a reset. Although Pisa has had their last five league meetings with Inter, most recently in 1991, the next match with renewed belief.

‎The Tuscans secured their first Serie A win in 34 years before the international break and followed up with a spirited 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, conceding deep in stoppage time.

‎Pisa has drawn seven of their first 12 games and is unbeaten in six, finding attacking consistency and defensive resilience at the Arena Garibaldi, where it has not conceded in 436 minutes of football. This growing confidence could test Inter’s mentality after a difficult week.

‎Team news

‎Inter remain hampered by absences, with Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian missing, though Henrikh Mkhitaryan may return. Lautaro Martinez will lead the line as ever, alongside either Marcus Thuram, Ange-Yoan Bonny, or young Francesco Pio Esposito.

‎Pisa will rely on M’Bala Nzola up front, while Henrik Meister pushes for a starting role after scoring as a substitute last time out.

‎Despite Pisa’s improved form, Inter’s quality and depth should prevail, especially given their need to stabilise results before upcoming fixtures.

‎Prediction: Pisa 0–2 Inter Milan

‎AC Milan vs Lazio: 

‎Hoping to seize topthe spot before their title rivals play on Sunday, AC Milan welcome an improving Lazio side to San Siro for Saturday’s headline fixture.

‎Milan’s confidence is sky-high after last week’s derby triumph over Inter, while Lazio has quietly strengthened their defensive foundations.

‎Milan’s derby victory showed both resilience and star power. Christian Pulisic scored the decisive goal, but the true hero was goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who delivered a stunning performance including a penalty save against former teammate Hakan Calhanoglu.

‎The win lifted Milan to second place, just two points behind leaders Roma, and extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches.

‎Massimiliano Allegri’s men have kept clean sheets in six of their 12 league games, reflecting the defensive solidity required of title contenders.

‎Lazio, meanwhile, has regained form after a shaky September. Their only defeat in the last month came at the hands of Inter, and they bounced back with a composed 2-0 win over Lecce thanks to Tijjani Noslin’s long-awaited goal.

‎The Biancocelesti have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches but have gone nearly 300 minutes without scoring away from home.

‎Maurizio Sarri continues to navigate a challenging season marked by injuries and a transfer ban, yet he still has the tactical acumen to frustrate top sides.

‎His longstanding coaching rivalry with Allegri adds a historical edge to the fixture, with the Milan coach leading their head-to-head by 11 wins to four.

‎Team news

‎Milan may be forced into at least one change, with Pulisic doubtful and Santiago Gimenez sidelined, meaning Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku could spearhead the attack.

‎Lazio’s injury list remains lengthy, with Samuel Gigot, Matteo Cancellieri, Nicolo Rovella, and potentially Taty Castellanos unavailable. Boulaye Dia is likely to start despite his dry spell in front of goal.

‎Given both sides’ defensive strengths, a closely fought, low-scoring contest appears likely.

‎Prediction: AC Milan 1–1 Lazio.