Conference League line-ups: Ajax vs. Atalanta
BERGAMO, ITALY - OCTOBER 15: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC is challenged by Ivan Sunjic of Pafos FC during the UEFA Conference League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Atalanta BC and Pafos FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 15, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Atalanta rely on Gianluca Scamacca, Charles De Ketelaere and Nicola Zalewski for a prestigious Conference League trip to Dutch giants Ajax.
It kicks off at the Johan Crujiff ArenA in Amsterdam at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
La Dea had seemingly found their form with a change of system after three straight defeats, earning 3-1 victories over Venezia in Serie A and Pafos in the opening Conference League match.
However, they stumbled again 3-2 to Milan at San Siro on Sunday.
Now they face a prestigious trip to Amsterdam, where they famously already won 1-0 in December 2020 for the Champions League.
Injuries continue to pile up for Atalanta, as Sead Kolasinac joined Giorgio Scalvini, Isak Hien, Odilon Kossounou, Franck Kessie, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Giacomo Raspadori on the treatment table.
Almost all of those are defenders, leaving very limited alternatives for coach Maurizio Sarri, so youth team player Relja Obric gets his first start, just days after his senior debut.
Scamacca leads the attack with Eljif Elmas, De Ketelaere and Zalewski in support, while Gianluca Gaetano steps into the midfield with Ederson.
Italy international Scamacca is no stranger to Dutch football, as he spent time at PSV Eindhoven and PEC Zwolle.
Ajax would usually be in the Champions League, so it is somewhat surprising to see them in the Conference League this season.
It is part of a general malaise the giants are going through, culminating in a 2-1 Conference League defeat to Hajduk Split, but they ended their month-long wait for a victory at the weekend by beating FC Groningen 5-2.
They too have an injury crisis ruling out Daley Blind, Steven Berghuis, Oliver Edvardsen, Caio Henrique, Simon Adingra, Anton Gaaei and Kasper Dolberg, while Yves Bissouma is not on the UEFA list.
Germany legend Marc-Andre ter Stegen is in goal on loan from Barcelona, with former Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat in the middle of the park.
Tolu Arokadare and Marcos Leonardo were both vying for the centre-forward spot.
Ajax: Ter Stegen; Rosa, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal; Mokio, Amrabat; Brandt, Klaassen, Gloukh; Marcos Leonardo
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Bellanova, Kristensen, Obric, Zappacosta; Gaetano, Ederson; Elmas, De Ketelaere, Zalewski; Scamacca
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